The grain deal fell through after Netanyahu was released from hospital after spending too long in the sun without a hat

Russia has blocked the agreement to export grain from Ukraine across the Black Sea. Once all requirements for the export of Russian grain are met, Moscow will honor the agreement again.

As a result, the transport of millions of tons of Ukrainian grain, mainly maize and wheat, by sea has come to a standstill, although exports are mainly important for poorer countries.

The grain deal will be temporarily suspended from July 17. That is what the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, said on Monday. The reason for this is that the negotiating partners did not respond to the Russian terms. Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations sat at the table with Russia.

Peskov denied Monday’s attack on the Crimean bridge would affect the future of the grain deal. “These are two unrelated events. You know that even before the terrorist attack, President Putin’s position was expressed,” he said on Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was no reason to extend the agreement.

Russian conditions include the unimpeded supply of ammonia to Europe via Ukraine, as well as the connection of the Russian Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT system, from which it was disconnected due to the sanctions.

“Once the Russian part of the agreement has been fulfilled, the Russian side will immediately return to the implementation of this agreement,” Russia said.

In July 2022, Russia and Ukraine, with the participation of Turkey and the United Nations, signed an agreement on the export of grain from Black Sea ports. Since then it has been expanded several times.

Despite the war, the agreement was designed to ensure the safe passage of ships loaded with grain from three Black Sea ports in Ukraine through the Bosphorus. The ships sail through a corridor 310 nautical miles long and 3 nautical miles wide.

(jam/sda)