JAKARTA - Russia announced it would continue its participation in the export agreement on grains from Ukraine on Wednesday, reversing a move that world leaders fear will exacerbate global hunger.
Moscow's announcement came after Turkey and the United Nations helped keep Ukraine's wheat flowing for several days without Russia's participation in inspections.
Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed this, saying it had received guarantees from Kyiv not to use the Black Sea grain corridor for military operations against Russia.
Kyiv did not immediately comment on that, but had previously denied they were using the agreed shipping corridors as a cover for the attack.
"The Russian Federation considers that the current guarantees appear sufficient, and continues the implementation of the agreement," the Russian ministry said in a statement.
The wheat deal, reached three months ago, has removed the global food crisis by lifting Russia's de facto blockade in Ukraine, one of the world's largest suppliers. The prospect that it could fall apart this week has revived fears of global hunger and price increases.
Russia suspended its involvement in the deal on Saturday, saying it could not guarantee the safety of civilian ships crossing the Black Sea following the attack on its fleet.
In response to this, Ukraine and Western countries called it false pretexts for "extortion" using threats to global food supplies.
Last Monday, deliveries resumed in Turkey and the United Nations-backed program, without Moscow's participation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had told Turkish Defense Minister the deal would continue.
"Gourn transportation will continue as agreed previously at 12 (night) today," said President Erdogan.
A senior Ukrainian official who declined to be named told Reuters Moscow's decision was primarily the result of Turkey's pressure on Russia.
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov expressed his gratitude for the role played by President Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The prices of wheat, soybeans, corn, and▁siangps fell sharply in the global market following the announcement, which eased concerns about the increasingly out of reach of food.
The grain deal itself aims to help prevent hunger in poor countries by injecting more wheat, solar oil and fertilizer into the world market. It targets a pre-war rate of 5 million metric tons exported from Ukraine every month.
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