Putin Has Reason to Slow-Walk a Ukraine Grain Deal
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered what could become a spiraling food crisis around the world by cutting off shipments of Ukrainian agricultural commodities.
Vladimir Putin
Photographer: Mikhail Metzel/AFP/Getty ImageSenior European officials see little chance Russia is willing to ease global food pressures by striking a deal to let Ukraine resume crucial grain exports, saying the Kremlin views the crisis as leverage against Kyiv and its allies.
Government and intelligence officials say United Nations-facilitated negotiations with Moscow and Kyiv are still struggling to make progress. They asked not to be identified discussing such sensitive matters. Many issues are unsolved, one person familiar with the discussions said, including how goods can move safety within and from Ukraine.