Russia is thinking about leaving Black Sea grain deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia is contemplating withdrawing from the Black Sea grain deal, noting Russia took part in the agreement to maintain relationships with “friendly” countries.

“We are now thinking about getting out of this so-called grain deal. Moreover, these corridors along which the ships go are constantly used to launch naval drones,” Putin said during a televised meeting with pro-Kremlin journalists.

Putin said that Russia entered the Black Sea grain deal to help “friendly” countries in Africa and Latin America and maintain good relationships.

“We are not doing this for Ukraine, we are doing this for our friendly countries in Africa and Latin America. Because grain should go first … to the poorest countries in the world,” Putin said.

Putin claimed Europe is the largest importer of Ukrainian grain and this “seems to be the main source of foreign exchange earnings for Ukraine.”

Some more context: On May 17, an agreement was reached to extend the deal that allows grain to be exported from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, according to Turkish and Ukrainian officials.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the agreement between Ukraine and Russia, which was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, would be extended for two months. The deal was originally signed last year and has since been extended.

After invading Ukraine in February 2022, Russia blockaded vital grain exports from key Ukrainian Black Sea ports, including Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi, which meant that millions of tons of Ukrainian grain were not being exported to the many countries that rely on it.

The impact of the war on global food markets was immediate and extremely painful, as Ukraine accounts for 10% of the world wheat market, 15% of the corn market, and 13% of the barley market.

Tags: Russia, Black Sea grain corridor