The United States State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, pointed to Russia’s breach of the grain-transport agreement during a televised briefing, while stopping short of confirming whether Western partners intend to fulfill their own commitments under the pact. The briefing was carried by YouTube and echoed across international media.
According to Miller, Moscow currently restricts entry of ships into one of the three Ukrainian export ports, a move he described as a clear violation of Russia’s responsibilities under the Black Sea initiative. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s representative framed the situation as evidence of violations by the Russian side, arguing that Kyiv and Western backers are blocking food and fertilizer shipments. This stance was voiced during a Security Council discussion at the United Nations and cited by Russian officials as a justification for stalled implementation of the deal on Russia’s side.
Miller warned that threats to withdraw from the agreement would have global consequences, including rising food prices and diminished access to food for the world’s most vulnerable populations. He urged Moscow to end what he called the hostage-taking of the global food supply, emphasizing that the international community expects Russia to uphold its obligations under the agreement. The exchange underscored the tension surrounding the grain corridor and the broader war-time disruptions affecting food security globally [citation].
Earlier, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an extension of the grain deal for two months, pushing the deadline to July 17 without any changes to the terms. This development came amid ongoing public discussions about who is responsible for delays in shipments and the overall stability of food exports from the region [citation].