Russia has issued a warning that ships sailing to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports will be considered potential military targets. This comes after Russia withdrew from a safe-passage deal, which could have a negative impact on global food supplies. In response, Ukraine has established a temporary shipping route via Romania to facilitate international shipping in the north-western part of the Black Sea. The year-old pact, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, ended after Russia’s withdrawal, and the last ship left Ukraine on Sunday.
Both Ukraine and Russia are major grain exporters, and the uncertainty caused by the withdrawal from the safe-passage deal has already led to an 8.5% jump in US wheat futures. Russia’s Defence Ministry has stated that ships travelling to Ukrainian ports will be considered parties to the conflict on the Ukrainian side. Russia has also launched attacks on the Odesa region, damaging grains terminals, industrial facilities, and other infrastructure.
The Odesa region’s three ports were the only ones operating in Ukraine during the war under the grain deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed concern about the million tonnes of food stored in the attacked ports, which were intended for shipment to consumer countries in Africa and Asia. The US has accused Russia of laying additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports, which it believes is an attempt to justify attacks on civilian ships and blame Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western countries of “perverting” the U.N.-backed deal and has expressed willingness to return to the pact if certain conditions are met. The International Monetary Fund has warned that Russia’s exit from the deal could worsen global food insecurity and increase food prices, particularly in poor countries. Meanwhile, fighting continues in eastern and southern Ukraine, where the Ukrainian army is engaged in a counteroffensive against Russian forces.
In response to the escalating conflict, the Pentagon has announced additional security assistance for Ukraine, totaling about $1.3 billion. European Union foreign ministers are also expected to discuss a proposal to provide up to 20 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine over four years. The situation remains volatile, with no signs of a letup in the fighting.
