MOSCOW SUSPENDS UN-SPONSORED GRAIN DEAL; UKRAINE SAYS ‘FALSE PRETEXT’

Sat 29 October 2022:

Following attacks on ships in Crimea, Russia has banned participation in the agreement to export agricultural products from Ukrainian ports, the defence ministry was quoted as saying on Saturday by TASS.

In the early hours of Saturday, according to Russia, Ukrainian forces targeted Black Sea Fleet ships in Sevastopol, the largest city in Russian-occupied Crimea, using drones.

“Taking into account… the terrorist act by the Kyiv regime with the participation of British experts against the ships of the Black Sea Fleet and civilian vessels involved in ensuring the security of the “grain corridor”, the Russian side suspends participation in the implementation of agreements on the export of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said earlier that the drone attacks on Saturday were largely repelled, with minor damage to a Russian minesweeper.

United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths had said only on Wednesday that he was “relatively optimistic” that the deal that allowed a resumption of Ukraine Black Sea grain exports would be extended beyond mid-November.

Under the July 22 agreement, Ukraine was able to restart its Black Sea grain and fertilizer exports, which had stalled when Russia invaded its neighbor on Feb. 24. The Ukraine export deal was initially agreed for 120 days.

‘False pretext’

We have warned of Russia’s plans to ruin the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Now Moscow uses a false pretext to block the grain corridor which ensures food security for millions of people. I call on all states to demand Russia to stop its hunger games and recommit to its obligations.

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) October 29, 2022

Ukraine‘s foreign minister accused Moscow of using a “false pretext” to suspend its participation in the Black Sea grain corridor on Saturday.

“I call on all states to demand Russia to stop its hunger games and recommit to its obligations,” Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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