Russia’s exit from Black Sea Grain Initiative

Russia is weaponizing food at the expense of people around the world, especially the poor and food-insecure. Let's be clear: Children are going to bed hungry at night and parents are agonizing over feeding their children, all because of Russia's overt, intentional actions. Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and targeting of Ukrainian grain intended for global markets are callous acts that will place countless lives at risk.

Ukraine has long been one of the world's great sources of grain, with the vast majority of that grain shipped through Black Sea ports. In order to punish Ukraine, the Russian government is deliberately choosing to undermine global food security and price stability in Africa, Asia, and other regions dependent on exports from those ports.

The BSGI ensured the flow of grain and other food commodities from Ukraine's ports....