UN chief urges Russia to revive Ukraine’s grain deal

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Russia on Monday to return to a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain in line with a proposal he made to President Vladimir Putin, Askanews reports.

He stressed that Russia and Ukraine are now playing a key role in ensuring food security around the world.

I call on Russia to return to the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative in line with my latest proposal, the Secretary General said.

As Guterres noted, he reiterated his support for ensuring access to global food and fertilizer markets from both Ukraine and Russia. In this way, food security will be "ensured for all."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed that Turkey and the UN continue the grain initiative in a trilateral format. The state is considering the possibility of transporting food through the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria.

On 19 July, the Russian defense ministry threatened that any countries flying the flags of ships to Ukrainian ports would be considered involved in the war.

At the same time, Russia's Putin said that Russia would resume its participation in the grain deal only if the West fulfills a number of requirements.