Ukraine Crimea bridge assault: Putin blasted for ‘cynical’ transfer as Russia terminates Black Sea grain deal

European Union Fee President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday referred to as Russia’s determination to droop a Black Sea grain export deal a “cynical transfer”, including that the EU would proceed to work in the direction of making certain meals safety for poor nations.

Russia stated it had halted participation in a landmark UN-brokered deal that allowed Ukrainian grain to be exported by means of the Black Sea simply hours after Moscow stated Ukraine had attacked the Crimean Bridge. Costs for grains and oilseeds have already risen in response to information that Russia will droop its participation within the deal.

“I strongly condemn Russia’s cynical transfer to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, regardless of UN & Turkiye’s efforts. EU is working to make sure meals safety for the world’s susceptible. EU Solidarity Lanes will proceed bringing agrifood merchandise out of Ukraine & to international markets,” von der Leyen stated in a Tweet.

EU Overseas Coverage Chief Josep Borrell stated Moscow’s determination was unjustified and was utilizing meals as a weapon within the battle with Ukraine.

“That is one thing very critical that may create lots of troubles for many individuals world wide,” Borrell advised reporters on getting into a summit with nations of South and Central America. “I’ve guilty Russia for this determination. (It’s) fully unjustified, weaponising the starvation of the individuals.”

Ukraine is a serious producer of grains and oilseeds and the interruption to its exports on the outbreak of conflict pushed international meals costs to file highs. The deal, agreed in July 2022 some 5 months after the conflict began, helped to carry down costs and ease a world meals disaster.

In a press release, James Cleverly stated: “The UK condemns within the strongest phrases Russia’s determination to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

“Russia’s unlawful conflict towards Ukraine has obstructed the free move of grain and different foodstuffs by means of the Black Sea, inflicting worldwide struggling. We urge Russia to rejoin the initiative, which was developed by the UN in 2022, and permit the unimpeded export of grain.

“Whereas exports of grain from Ukraine are restricted, Russian exports of meals are at greater ranges than earlier than the invasion.

“We now have at all times been clear that the goal of our sanctions is Russia’s conflict machine and never the meals and fertiliser sectors. Opposite to Russian claims, the UN and different companions have taken vital steps to make sure that Russian meals is ready to entry world markets.

“One of the best ways for Russia to deal with considerations round international meals safety could be for it to withdraw its forces from Ukraine and finish the conflict.”

The Overseas Secretary has condemned Russia, after it halted a deal permitting grain to move from Ukraine to nations in Africa, the Center East and Asia.

On this Impartial Voices piece, our world affairs editor Kim Sengupta writes:

The newest assault on the Kerch bridge got here simply weeks after Putin claimed that Ukrainian forces had been struggling “catastrophic” losses within the ongoing counteroffensive by Volodymyr Zelensky’s authorities and he may order the seizure of extra land to guard Russia’s frontiers. “We should think about making a sanitary zone in Ukraine to forestall it from placing our territory”, he warned.

The blast on the bridge exhibits that even when a brand new “sanitary zone” is established, it’s unlikely to be sufficient to cease Ukraine – armed with fashionable Western drones, missiles and artillery – from inflicting destruction inside Russia.

It’s removed from sure that Ukraine will get Crimea again. However, with the present offensive grinding on, with restricted and sluggish reclaiming of territory, the Kerch assault is a potent image and morale-boosting motion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Monday all the things have to be completed in order that the Black Sea grain export hall continues for use after Russia halted its participation, his spokesperson stated.

“Even with out the Russian Federation, all the things have to be completed in order that we are able to use this Black Sea hall. We’re not afraid,” spokesperson Serhiy Nykyforov quoted Zelenskiy as saying. “We had been approached by firms, ship-owners. They stated that they’re prepared, if Ukraine lets them go, and Turkey continues to allow them to by means of, then everybody is able to proceed supplying grain.”

Zelenskiy stated Ukraine had two agreements on grain exports – one with Turkey and the United Nations, and the opposite with Russia, Turkey and the United Nations. He ordered Ukraine’s overseas ministry to arrange an official observe to the UN and Turkey on whether or not they could be able to proceed with the initiative.

Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who’s in New York this week to take part in a UN safety council assembly, urged Russia to cease “taking part in starvation video games.”

“The instant consequence of non-extension of the settlement will imply that costs for grain all throughout the globe will go up, and other people in essentially the most susceptible areas of Asia, Africa, they are going to really feel it, and that is the results of Russian actions,” Kuleba stated in an interview with CBS Mornings. “So Russia is utilizing starvation as an instrument to blackmail the world, pursuing its personal business curiosity. Cease taking part in starvation video games.”

Russia’s suspension of a pact that has allowed the Black Sea export of grain from Ukraine “will worsen meals safety and hurt hundreds of thousands,” the White Home stated on Monday.

“We urge the Authorities of Russia to instantly reverse its determination,” White Home Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson Adam Hodge stated in a press release.

In the meantime, US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described Moscow’s determination as an “act of cruelty” on Monday.

“Russia has dealt one other blow to the world’s most susceptible, this time by suspending its participation within the Black Sea grain initiative. That is actually one other act of cruelty,” she advised reporters.

Russia’s determination to not lengthen the Black Sea grain deal is last and no extra talks are deliberate, state information company TASS quoted a senior Russian official on the United Nations as saying on Monday.

The President and CEO of the Worldwide Rescue Committee (IRC) has stated the expiration of the Black Sea grain export deal “dangers holding international meals safety at ransom”.

David Miliband stated: “The IRC is deeply alarmed at Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, placing the way forward for the grain exports from the area in danger – a call which might be most painfully felt by the 349 million individuals world wide dealing with meals insecurity as we speak. From Ukraine to Somalia, IRC’s shoppers are dealing with the ripple results on meals and vitality costs of 500 days of conflict. The expiration of the deal dangers holding international meals safety at ransom.”