Austria urges Russia to extend grain deal
Ukrinform
The Austrian Foreign Ministry has urged Russia to agree to continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative without using food as a weapon.
According to Ukrinform, the Austrian Foreign Ministry reported this on Twitter.
"We urgently call on Russia to agree to an extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. It is crucial for global food security and brings millions of tonnes of grain and seeds to those in need," the statement said.
The post was accompanied by #FoodIsNotAWeapon.
As Ukrinform reported, Russia has officially informed the Turkish and Ukrainian sides, as well as the UN Secretariat, of its objections to the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The last vessel under the UN-brokered deal that allows Ukrainian grain to be safely exported through the Black Sea left the port of Odesa on Sunday morning, ahead of the July 17 deadline for extending the agreement.
