Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and last night’s bombing of Odessa region, including the port, is another proof of the Russian criminal tactic to weaponise the food, as Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs wrote on Twitter.
Latvia’s president also mentioned that Russia is fully responsible for all of the consequences from this.
Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and last night’s bombing of Odessa region, including the port, is another proof of the Russian criminal tactic to weaponise the food
Russia bears full responsibility for all the consequences of these actions
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) July 18, 2023
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Monday, the 17th of July, that millions of people that suffer from famine will “pay” for Russia’s decision to exit from the international “grain deal”, which guaranteed exports of Ukrainian grains over the Black Sea.
Guterres said he is said about Russia’s decision,
adding that it will not stop UN’s efforts to provide Ukrainian and Russian food and fertilizers uninterrupted access to global markets.
Russian president’s press-secretary Dmitry Peskov previously announced that the Russian Federation decided to quit the grain deal.
He did say that Russia will not hesitate to return to the grain deal once its conditions have been met accordingly.
On Monday, the 17th of July, Russia informed Turkey and Ukraine, as well as the UN Secretariat, about the country’s objections to the extension of the grain deal, as Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs press-secretary Maria Zakharova told Russian media RIA Novosti.
Ukraine and Russia, through mediation from Turkey, signed an agreement with the UN on the 22nd of July about the recovery of exports of Ukrainian agricultural goods over the Black Sea, which was previously ceased following the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This deal allowed Ukraine to send more than 32 million tonnes of grains past Russian warships in the Black Sea.
According to various media, the European Union considers conceding to the Russian bank over the grain deal. This is about restoring SWIFT connection to Rosselkhozbank through its subsidiary, as reported by Ukrainian internet news site Ukrainska pravda.
Russia explained objections to the deal’s extension by mentioning how obstacles are put in the way of exports of its own agricultural products and fertilizers.
On the night to Tuesday, the 18th of July, Russia attacked Ukraine’s regions of Mikolaiv, Odessa, Kherson, Zapirizhzhia, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk using Shahed attack drones.
There were also reports risks of ballistic weapons being used against Poltava, Cherkassi, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Kirovohrad.
Mikolaiv region’s war administration’s manager Vitali Kim reported that a fire started in the city after the attack. Mayor of Mikolaiv Oleksandr Senkevich said the fire was severe, adding that rescuers are on the scene.
Also read: Russia announces decision to quit “grain deal”