The black sea grain initiative: Russia breaks off from the deal

The initiative is a humanitarian maritime corridor that allows for the exportation of grains, fertilizers, and other foodstuffs including ammonia, from Ukraine. Its implementation is facilitated by The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC).

Established on 27 July 2022 in Istanbul, the JCC consists of representatives from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine. The goal of this initiative is to recognize the importance of food security and its dependence on the supply of grain and other foodstuffs. Following its initial run of 120 days, hopes were high about the significant movement of large amounts of commercial grains from three key Ukrainian ports. They also check the movement of commercial vessels and ensure compliance with the procedures developed through the initiative for the shipments in and out of Ukraine.

The Russian Federation in Moscow suspended its participation in the UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal in a retaliatory move for what it says were Kyiv-ordered attacks on Russian vessels. This will cut Ukrainian grain exports from its Black Sea ports.

According to Moscow, British operators also aided Ukraine’s military carry out the attack, which involved the use of at least 15 drones.

In its defense, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused the Russians of using this as a false pretext to stop the supply of grains which ensured food security for millions of people.

Before the war, Ukraine and Russia accounted for almost a quarter of global grain exports until the suspension.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Ukraine world’s top producer and exporter of sunflower meal, oil, and seed.

In July, talks were held between the U.N and the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in Istanbul to address the issue of food crises caused partly by the war between Russia and Ukraine, but no party came to a final decision. The U.N is still in talks with the Russian authorities over the matter.