US, UK say Russia exploiting hunger with grain deal delay

WASHINGTON, May 10 (AFP): The United States and Britain on Tuesday pressed Russia to extend again a deal to export Ukrainian grain, accusing Moscow of exploiting global hunger for advantage in the war.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, in place since July after diplomacy by the United Nations and Turkey, allows the export by port of Ukrainian grain, helping ease shortages and resulting price spikes triggered by Russia's invasion of the breadbasket nation.
But Russia has not committed to a third renewal before the deal expires on May 18.
"In recent days, Russia has once again returned to blocking ships from sailing to Ukraine's ports to pick up the grain, in a cynical action that directly results in less food getting to global markets and to human beings in Africa, the Middle East and around the world," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters.
"The world shouldn't need to remind Moscow every few weeks to stop using people's hunger as a weapon in their war against Ukraine," he said.