The US accuses Russia of “using food as a weapon” and the EU asks it to return to the ‘grain pact’

Moscow has fulfilled one of its threats. Over the last few weeks, the Kremlin has repeatedly warned the West that if pressure on their country continues war in ukraine they would suspend the grain export agreement across the Black Sea.

USA has urged Russia to maintain Ukrainian grain exports because they are “essential.” For his part, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrellhas asked Moscow to reverse its decision.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced it this Saturday and explained that the decision is due to the “terrorist attack” this Saturday – with the “participation of British specialists” – against the ships of the Black Sea Fleet and the ships that guarantee the export of grain.

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“The Russian side cannot guarantee the safety of the merchant ships participating in the agreement for the export of grain, so Russia suspends its compliance indefinitely“, explained the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Maria Zajárova.

Washington warns Putin

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinkenhas criticized Moscow’s decision to cancel the deal and has urged Russia to keep “essential to life” exports running.

“Any act by Russia to disrupt these grain exports is essentially a statement that people and families around the world should pay more for food or go hungryBlinken said in a statement.

“By suspending this agreement, Russia turns food into weapons again in the war that started, directly affecting low- and middle-income countries and global food prices, and exacerbating already dire humanitarian crises and food insecurity,” he said.

For his part, the President of the United States, Joe Bidenhas branded this decision of Putin’s sphere of “outrageous”.

Message from Borrell

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrellhas sent a clear message to Moscow to “reverse” its decision to suspend this agreement, which is of paramount importance to supply certain basic foods to millions of people.

“Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the Black Sea agreement puts at risk the main export route for much-needed cereals and fertilizers to address the global food crisis caused by his war against Ukraine,” the politician wrote on his Twitter profile.

Attack on Sevastopol

The Kremlin’s reason for suspending the deal is due to the latest crackdown on one of its major bases. Russia has denounced a massive attack with drones and unmanned aquatic devices against the ships of the Black Sea Fleet and civilian vessels that were at the Sevastopol base.

Maria Zajárova pointed out that the diplomacy of his country will study “practical steps” in relation to the participation of the British in this latest attackwhere the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is located.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the attack suffered minor damage to the minesweeper “Iván Golubets”as well as a floating protection net in the Yuzhnaya Bay.

“In the attack they were employed nine drones and seven unmanned maritime devices“, The ministry has detailed. It has also reported that all the drones were shot down.