EU condemns Russia's 'cynical' refusal to renew Black Sea grain deal

Workers load grain at a grain port in Izmail, Ukraine, on April 26, 2023. © AP / Andrew Kravchenko

Russia has exited the agreement allowing Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports for the past year, saying promises to free up its own shipments of food and fertilisers have not been kept. The European Union described the move as "cyncial".

Russia's Foreign Ministry said it had notified Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations that "without Russia's participation, the 'Black Sea Initiative' ceases to function from July 18".