Russia Threatens to Suspend Grain Deal with Ukraine across Black Sea

Russia has again threatened to end the deal to export grain from Ukraine across the Black Sea, just days after extending it for at least two months.

To extend the agreement for a long period, the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow stipulated yesterday, Monday, the facilitation of Russian fertilizer exports, as well as the resumption of imports of spare parts in the agricultural sector.

"Without progress in meeting these requirements, our participation in the Black Sea Initiative will be suspended," the ministry said.

The Black Sea initiative was approved and brokered for the first time by the United Nations and Turkey last July, after arduous negotiations for weeks.

The initiative provides for lifting the blockade of Ukrainian ports and providing a corridor in the Black Sea for exports.