DISINFO: Moscow did not extend the grain deal because only the West benefited
SUMMARY
Ukraine and the West turned out to be the only beneficiaries from the agreement. Most of the grain was destined for the West rather than starving African countries. Furthermore, the same “security corridors” have repeatedly been used for attacks by Ukrainian sea drones on Russian Black Sea ports. That is why on July 17, after yet another Ukrainian attempt to blow up the Crimean bridge with drones, Moscow refused to extend the grain deal.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aimed at distorting statistics and facts of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, aiming to shift blame from Russia onto the EU and other western nations for Russia’s withdrawal from the BSGI deal.
This disinformation story also grossly misrepresents the goal of the BSGI, which was to bring back supply of Ukrainian grain to the global markets, and in this way drive down the prices that hit the poorest the most. The initiative succeeded in reducing global food prices by over 23 per cent since March last year.
According to data from the UN Joint Coordination Centre, developing countries received 67% of the grain exported under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, 20% of which went to the two lowest income group countries. While it is true that there are some gaps to be filled when it comes to grain reaching the least developed countries (LDC), these were not caused by the West. Western countries make great efforts to try and address them. China is, by far, the single largest recipient country.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says that despite the persistence of gaps caused by the war, the initiative has significantly increased grain exports to LDCs. For example, since the Initiative started, Ukrainian wheat exports to LDCs more than doubled compared to the start of Russia's unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The EU is taking further actions to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain exports via the Solidarity Lanes so that they reach those countries in need. This includes continued work on lowering overall logistics costs, better coordinating transit and enhancing infrastructure in ports, border interconnections and other conduits under the EU Solidarity Lanes, as well as supporting the (BSGI).
Any Ukrainian attacks on Russian military infrastructure are not acts of terrorism because they are legitimate. Ukraine has every right to hit any military facilities in occupied territories, of which Crimea is part, because Crimea is internationally recognised Ukrainian territory.
Read similar cases claiming that Russia suspended the grain deal because the West kept most of the grain, that Ukraine and the West don’t contribute to global food security, that EU is the biggest beneficiary of the 'grain corridor', not the starving countries of Africa, and that Ukraine used grain corridors for drone strike on Russian ships.