The Black Sea grain deal and Russia's exit from it

Ukraine and Russia signed the Black Sea grain agreement in Istanbul in July 2022.^[11] Russian missiles struck the port of Odesa the following day,^[12] but the first grain ship departed on August 1.^[13] Later that month, a shipment intended for the Horn of Africa reached Djibouti as drought and conflict affected parts of East Africa.^[14]

Disputes over the agreement continued. Putin accused Ukraine and the West of directing its benefits mainly toward wealthy European countries.^[15] Russia suspended participation at the end of October, then rejoined days later.^[2][16] The agreement was extended by four months in November.^[17] In 2023, Russia accepted shorter extensions while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threatened withdrawal unless obstacles to Russian exports were removed.^[18][19][1]

Russia withdrew in July 2023.^[3] China, developing countries and Western governments pressed it at the UN Security Council to restore the shipments.^[20] Putin offered free grain to six African countries at a summit in St. Petersburg,^[21] while global food prices rose after Russia's withdrawal and India's restrictions on some rice exports.^[22] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tried to revive the agreement at a September meeting in Sochi, but Putin said Russia would not return until the West met his demands.^[23]

Ukraine established a separate temporary shipping corridor, and civilian cargo ships began arriving at its ports.^[4] Later coverage reported increased grain shipments through the Black Sea despite the Russian threat.^[5]