US says Russia's decision to halt grain deal is 'irresponsible and dangerous'

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US said Monday that Russia's decision to pull back from the Black Sea grain deal is “'irresponsible and dangerous,” adding it will "exacerbate food scarcity and harm millions of vulnerable people around the world.”

"The Black Sea Grain Initiative has been critical to bringing down (global) food prices, which have spiked as a result of Russia's brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters during a daily press briefing.

Kirby said "Russia's decision to resume its effective blockade of Ukrainian ports and prevent this grain from getting to markets will harm people all over the world."

"Russia will be fully and solely responsible for the consequences of this military act of aggression," he said. "We are already seeing a spike in global wheat, corn and soybean prices as a result of Russia's suspension."

"We urge the government of Russia to immediately reverse its decision," Kirby added.

Earlier on Monday, the Kremlin announced that it has suspended the deal, saying the Russian part of the agreement was not implemented.

The agreement, initially signed in July last year in Istanbul by Türkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine, was aimed at resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports which had been halted as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022.

A Joint Coordination Center was set up in Istanbul last year with officials from the three countries and the UN to oversee the shipments.

The deal has been renewed several times since then, and it was extended for another two months on May 18.