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July 17, 2023

Russia says it is halting grain deal

Türkei I Istanbul - Schwarzmeer-Getreide-Initiative der Vereinten Nationen
Image: Mehmet Emin Caliskan/REUTERS

Russia says it has halted a deal that allows much-needed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced halting the deal in a conference call with reporters.

He said Russia would return to the deal, set to expire on Monday, after its demands are met. 

"When the part of the Black Sea deal related to Russia is implemented, Russia will immediately return to the implementation of the deal," Peskov said.

Russia says the halting of the deal has nothing to do with an attack on a bridge linking Russia to Crimea earlier on Monday.

Turkey brokered the agreement to let food leave Ukrainian ports via the Black Sea, and a separate agreement facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer amid Western sanctions.

However, Russia has complained that restrictions on shipping and insurance have hampered its food and fertilizer exports.

Despite this, analysts and export data say Russia has been shipping record amounts of wheat and fertilizers.

The agreement was last renewed for 60 days in May, with Moscow also pushing back before finally accepting the extension.

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