Day 249 of the Invasion of Ukraine: Russia out of the Grain Deal after their Ships were Hit in the Black Sea

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Kyiv wants international pressure on Russia over the "Hunger Games"

"Suspension of Russia's participation in the Ukrainian grain export agreement requires a firm international response from the UN and the G20", said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Zelensky expressed the opinion that the Russian decision was not made now, but already in September:

"Russia then began to deliberately exacerbate the food crisis by blocking the movement of ships with our products. Since September, 176 vessels have already gathered in the grain export corridor and cannot continue on their route. This is the absolutely transparent intention of Russia to bring back the threat of large-scale famine in Africa and Asia".

Russia announced its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, accusing Kyiv of a terrorist attack on Black Sea Fleet ships and civilian vessels in the port city of Sevastopol. The initiative, under the auspices of the United Nations and brokered by Turkey, provided a corridor for the export of agricultural products from Ukraine through the Black Sea. According to a Turkish source, Ankara was not officially notified of the decision.

US President Joe Biden did not hide his indignation. The White House has argued that Moscow's withdrawal from the agreement turns food into a weapon, a move that will directly affect peoples in need as well as food prices around the world.

The chairman of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters, Eduard Zernin, said that companies in this sector are ready to fulfill their humanitarian mission and supply countries in need, despite the sanctions.