Russia has withdrawn from the Grain Deal, an agreement that ensured Ukraine could supply grain to the world despite ongoing Russian bombardments. This decision amounts to a threat—the potential sinking of grain ships bound for the rest of the world, particularly Africa.
Ukraine has long been one of the world’s top wheat exporters, thanks to its fertile black soil in the south, some of the most productive agricultural land on the planet. However, with Putin’s invasion and the blockade of Ukrainian coasts, exports have plummeted, raising the risk of shortages and famine.
By abruptly suspending its participation in the Grain Deal, Putin is blocking around 2 million tons of wheat loaded on 176 ships, enough to feed 7 million people. This withdrawal is part of Russia’s ongoing efforts since September to slow Ukrainian wheat exports, endangering millions of lives.
In addition to halting Ukrainian exports, Russia is profiting from the price hikes it has caused by illegally reselling stolen Ukrainian wheat from occupied territories, falsely labeling it as Russian grain. While Russia previously used the Black Sea to launch missiles at Ukrainian civilians, it now weaponizes the area to starve civilians worldwide.
