Russia stalls a return to the grains deal with Ukraine
By PHC Telegraph

Mediation talks initiated by Turkey to persuade Russia to end its blockade of the Black Sea and accept the grains deal that it pulled out of may have gotten off to a slow start, with the former leader of the Warsaw Pact showing signs of resistance.
The new deal which is being proposed under the auspices of the United Nations is intended to persuade Russia to change its tactics as the war with Ukraine intensifies.
The leaders of the two countries who met in Sochi to discuss the way forward may have failed to agree mutually on the renewed shipment of Ukrainian grains.
Vladimir Putin told his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that Russia’s conditions must be met before any deal on the renewed shipment of Ukrainian grains through the Black Sea can be reached.
Putin also seized the opportunity to express dissatisfaction with the activities of Western Nations which are aligned at this time on the side of Ukraine.

Ukraine is a major producer of grains and the effective blockade of the Black Sea by Russia is hurting food exports to other countries, including African nations.
Most of the wheat used by confectioners in countries like Nigeria come from farms in Ukraine.
Erdoğan had come to the table with a proposal urging President Putin to ease the pressure on Ukraine in order to avert what world leaders fear could lead to a food crisis.
The Russians on the other hand are already facing stiff sanctions imposed by the US and its allies, largely on its energy supplies to Europe.
In retaliation, Russia has attacked vessels on the Black Sea trying to evacuate tonnes of grain supplies leaving Ukrainian ports.
From all indications, Russia appears to be to frustrate Ukrainian foreign exchange earnings which are useful in funding its war efforts.
Of late, Russian shells have hit strategic grain stockpiles around Odesa and other major Ukrainian centres.
There are no indications that the diplomatic effort embarked upon by Turkey which is a friend of Russia has been abandoned.
Rather, many think that despite the initial hiccup experienced, discussions may still proceed, meaning that the goals of the United Nations may be slow in bearing fruit.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has sacked its Defence Minister and quickly asked parliament for a replacement.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had disclosed on Sunday that he would ask parliament to dismiss Oleksii Reznikov as defense minister.
Zelenskyy has since forwarded the name of Rustem Umerov to parliament for approval.