The last grain ship is leaving a port in Ukraine today, Wednesday, under an agreement that allows for the safe transportation of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, just one day before Russia's potential withdrawal from the agreement, citing obstacles to its own grain and fertilizer exports. A spokesperson for the United Nations said: "One ship is still at a Ukrainian port under the agreement and is scheduled to depart today, crossing the maritime corridor with its cargo."
The United Nations and Turkey mediated the grain agreement through Black Sea ports for an initial period of 120 days last July to help address a global food crisis exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, one of the world's largest grain exporters. Moscow agreed to extend the Black Sea agreement for an additional 120 days in November, but in March it only agreed to extend it for 60 days until May 18, pending the fulfillment of its demands related to agricultural exports.
Russian media quoted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying to reporters yesterday, Tuesday: "There are still many unanswered questions regarding our side of the agreement. Now a decision needs to be made."
