The collapse of the grain agreement threatens to worsen the food crisis in the world’s poorest countries. Russia says it will return to the agreement once its demands have been met.
Russia has announced today, Monday, that it will withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Agreement, which has enabled grain exports from Ukraine.
In this article, we will tell you the importance of withdrawal.
What is the Black Sea Grain Agreement?
Ukraine’s grain exports were interrupted when the war of aggression began in February 2022, because the Russian navy blockaded Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.
In July 2022, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the UN signed an agreement that allowed grain exports again. The contract was for a fixed period, but its validity has been extended every few months until today.
The agreement guaranteed that ships carrying grain could pass safely through Ukrainian ports despite the war.
What is the meaning of the contract?
Ukraine is one of the world’s most important grain exporters. If its grain exports are blocked, the price of food will rise and especially the world’s poorest countries will face an even more serious food crisis.
When the war of aggression began, world food prices broke records. Thanks to the grain agreement, prices have fallen from last year’s highs.
According to the World Food Program WFP, the world is already suffering from the largest and most complex hunger crisis in history. Last year, a record 349 million people suffered from hunger.
What does Russia’s withdrawal mean for the price of food?
The price of grain has already risen recently because the market has anticipated the collapse of the agreement.
However, the situation is now better than a year ago at the beginning of the war of aggression. Ukraine has already managed to export a lot of grain within the framework of the agreement, and Brazil, for example, has also significantly increased its grain exports.
How does Russia justify its withdrawal?
Russia says the West has not agreed to its demands and therefore sees no reason to continue the agreement.
Among other things, Russia has demanded that its agricultural bank Rosselhozbank be re-connected to the international SWIFT payment system. In addition, it demands that the ammonia pipeline leading from Russia to Odessa, Ukraine be reopened.
Could Russia still return to the agreement?
Russia has said it can return to the deal once its demands are met.
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has assured that his “friend”, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin still wants to extend the contract.
Russia suspended its participation in the grain agreement last October, but returned to it a few days later.
How have the West and Ukraine reacted?
President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said he condemns Russia’s cynical decision. According to Britain, Russia steals grain from the reach of millions of people.
Assistant to the President of Ukraine Myhailo Podoljak called the withdrawal political theater that did not require much attention.
You can discuss the topic on 18.7. until 11 p.m.
Sources: Reuters, AP