US Calls On Russia To Return To Participation In Black Sea Grain Deal

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price has told reporters that Russia is engaging in a form of "collective global punishment" for its decision to suspend participation in the Black Sea grain corridor initiative.

• Price says that food prices have risen due to uncertainty of around the future of the grain deal: "We need these prices to continue their downward trajectory." As of last week, says Price, "the initiative had moved more than 9.5m tonnes of grain and other foodstuff."
• Price: "It is not in anyone's interest, it is not in Russia's interest, it is not in the interest of the international community to see what could be akin to a form of collective global punishment, for this deal to remain suspended."
• Earlier today, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that it is merely suspending the deal, rather than withdrawing entirely.
• The Russian Def Min said however, that "the movement of ships along the Black Sea corridor is unacceptable," raising the risk that civilian vessels operating in the Black Sea could come under Russian fire.