Russia has decided to withdraw from the Black Sea grain export deal with Ukraine following the attack on the road bridge linking Crimea to southern Russia. The attack caused significant damage to the bridge, with Russian President Vladimir Putin blaming Ukraine for the incident. Although Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility, local media reported that its security services had deployed maritime drones.
In response to Russia’s decision, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, condemned Russia’s actions as “unconscionable” and called for the pact to be reinstated. The United Nations also expressed concern over Russia’s withdrawal from the deal, highlighting the potential impact on those in need. The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, further accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack and referred to the Ukrainian regime as a terrorist group.
Russia’s withdrawal from the grain export agreement with Ukraine will have significant implications for the world. The suspension of the deal will primarily impact Ukrainian exporters and may also affect Russian sales. African countries, particularly those in East Africa, heavily reliant on grain imports from Russia and Ukraine, will be particularly affected by this withdrawal.
Egypt, one of the largest wheat importers globally, is expected to suffer as a result, as a significant portion of its grain imports come from Russia and Ukraine. The collapse of the agreement raises concerns about global food security, as it was seen as a diplomatic breakthrough to avoid a food crisis. Wheat, corn, and soybean prices have already risen up.
