Moscow accuses Ukrainians of the “terrorist attack” and rejects that the decision to reimpose the naval blockade on the Black Sea is related. Kremlin insists on keeping promises.
Almost a year after it was signed, the agreement that allowed Ukraine to export its grain across the Black Sea is dead. Moscow’s decision not to extend the deadline, which ended this Monday at 22.00 in Lisbon, was announced a few hours after an attack destroyed (again) part of the bridge that connects occupied Crimea to Russia, causing the death of a civilian couple and injuries to a child. The Kremlin speaks of “terrorism” and points the finger at the Ukrainians and Western allies, but guarantees that the decision on the agreement is not related to this attack.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “deeply sorry” that Russia had decided to tear up the agreement that allowed the export of 32 million tonnes of cereals (half of them maize) and other foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports. “At a time when food production and availability is affected by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by more than 23% since March of last year. Hundreds of millions of people face hunger and consumers face a global cost of living crisis. They will pay the price,” he added in a statement, promising to continue working to reverse this decision.
Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine was the world’s top exporter of wheat – the country was known as the “breadbasket of the world” – and Russia was the fifth largest. The agreement allowed the departure of tons of cereals that were blocked in ports – with 45 countries on three continents receiving this merchandise. Most arrived in China, Spain and Turkey, with 44% of exports reaching countries considered rich. About 725 million tons arrived through the World Food Program to countries in need.
While Ukraine could export its grain, a parallel agreement (nothing was ever signed directly between Kiev and Moscow) facilitated Russian food and fertilizer exports. Russia complains that parts of this agreement have not been fulfilled, in addition to claiming that Ukrainian cereals are not reaching those in need. However, the UN explains that the mere fact of having lowered prices already had an impact.
Read more at Diário de Notícias
