Ukraine: Russia halts grain deal after Crimea bridge blast

Russia halted the Black Sea grain deal, heightening uncertainty over global food supplies by closing a crucial export route for Ukraine, one of the world’s top suppliers of wheat and vegetable oils.

The decision followed blasts that Moscow said had forced it to suspend road and rail traffic across the flagship Kerch Strait bridge that links Russia to occupied Crimea. The Kremlin blamed Kyiv for waterborne drone attacks that killed two people and shut Russia’s key artery for military and civilian access to the peninsula.

President Vladimir Putin discussed the US provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine in a TV interview, saying Russia would retaliate if the weapons — which have already arrived in Ukraine — are used on its forces. Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe concluded last year that Kremlin forces had used cluster bombs during its invasion.

Latest Coverage 

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• Ukraine Finance Minister Marchenko addresses G-7 financial bloc

Markets 

Benchmark Chicago wheat futures rose as much as 4.2% after Russia said it wouldn’t extend the Black Sea deal past its Monday expiration date.

Coming Up 

• UNSC meeting Monday focused on Ukraine