Russia said on May 16 it was still undecided on the extension of a landmark grain export deal with Ukraine, brokered by the UN and Turkey and due to expire on May 18. "There are a lot of unanswered questions regarding our part of the deal...now we have to make a decision," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. In July, an agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports to restart was signed, as well as a parallel memorandum on unhindered Russian food and fertilizer exports. Russia has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the deal, claiming that obstacles remain to its own food exports.
Kremlin Says 'Unanswered Questions' Remain Over Ukraine Grain Deal Extension
A cargo ship loaded with grain being inspected in the anchorage area of the southern entrance to the Bosphorus in Istanbul. (file photo)