Explosions have been heard in Kyiv on Monday and Ukrainian officers reported Russian missile strikes throughout the nation, after Moscow blamed Kyiv for an assault on its Black Sea fleet and a deal to permit Ukrainian grain shipments. thrown out.
Russia and Ukraine are each among the many world’s largest meals exporters, and the Russian blockade of Ukrainian grain shipments brought about a world meals disaster earlier this 12 months. Chicago wheat futures jumped greater than 5 p.c on Monday, following Russia’s announcement to finish cooperation with grain exports.
“Another batch of Russian missiles hits Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Instead of fighting on the battlefield, Russia fights civilians,” mentioned Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba.
“Don’t justify these attacks as ‘reaction’. Russia does it because it still has missiles and the will to kill Ukrainians.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko mentioned the missiles hit vitality infrastructure in Kyiv and different cities, inflicting energy and water outages.
“Russia is neither fascinated about peace talks nor in international meals safety. Putin’s solely objective is demise and destruction.”
There was no quick response from Moscow, which accused Kyiv of attacking its Black Sea fleet within the Crimean port on Saturday with 16 drones. Earlier this month, Russia launched its largest air strikes on Kyiv and different Ukrainian cities because the begin of the battle, in what it mentioned was a response to an assault on Crimea’s bridge.
Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied that it was behind the assault on the Russian fleet, its particular coverage for occasions in Crimea.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of “blackmailing the world with hunger” by pulling out of a meals export deal negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey.
Zelensky mentioned in an in a single day deal with that the ships carrying 1000’s of tons of wheat have been amongst these chartered by the United Nations World Food Program for emergency response within the Horn of Africa.
Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry mentioned a complete of 218 ships have been “effectively intercepted”.
The grain deal required Russia and Ukraine to coordinate inspections and transits of ships by way of the Black Sea, with the United Nations and Turkey performing as intermediaries.
No ship sailed on Sunday. The United Nations mentioned it had agreed with Turkey and Ukraine on a transit plan for Monday for 16 ships to maneuver Black Sea grain – 12 outbound and 4 inbound. There was no quick response from Russia.
The United Nations mentioned that Russian officers have been knowledgeable on Monday of plans meant to examine 40 outbound vessels, and added that “all participating military and other relevant authorities are required to ensure the safe passage of all participating commercial vessels”. coordinate with”. deal.
US President Joe Biden on Saturday described Russia’s transfer as “purely humiliating” and mentioned it will enhance starvation. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Moscow of weaponizing meals.
On Sunday, Russia’s ambassador to Washington withdrew, saying the US response was “outrageous” and made false claims about Moscow’s transfer.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
