Russia exits grain deal and resumes blockade of Ukrainian ports

Russia left the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17, 2023, and blocked Ukraine's main Black Sea ports again. It also attacked port buildings in Odesa, Mykolayiv, and near the Danube River.

The grain deal was signed in July 2022 by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations. It allowed Ukraine to export grain safely during the war. Before Russia pulled out, ships had carried nearly 124 million tonnes of grain to more than 55 countries.

Ukraine normally exports over 45 million tonnes of grain each year. Almost all of it leaves through Black Sea ports. The blockade puts food supplies at risk for many countries and will hurt Ukraine's economy, because agricultural exports are very important to it.