Russia halts participation in Black Sea grain deal, Kremlin says

The cargo ship Mehmet Bey waits to pass through the Bosphorus Strait off the shores of Yenikapi during a misty morning in Istanbul, Turkey, Oct 31, 2022. REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Calsikan/File photo

MOSCOW  – Russia has halted its participation in the Black Sea grain export deal, the Kremlin said on Monday.

The deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last July, aimed to alleviate a global food crisis by allowing Ukrainian grain blocked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be safely exported.

It had been extended several times, but was due to expire on Monday. Russia had been saying for months that conditions for its extension had not been fulfilled.

Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of attacking the Crimean bridge overnight with maritime drones, killing two people.