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Russia Resumes Ukraine Grain-Export Deal in Abrupt Reversal

  • Russia’s suspension of agreement sent prices soaring this week
  • UN, Turkey continued shipments despite Russian pullout
Vessels including those carrying grain from Ukraine anchored off the Istanbul coastline on Nov. 2.Photographer: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
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Russia agreed to resume a deal allowing safe passage of Ukrainian crop exports, abruptly reversing course after Turkey and the United Nations pushed ahead with the shipments over Moscow’s objections. Wheat prices dropped on the news.

The Kremlin’s pullout from the agreement on Saturday and Russian warnings over the safety of ships in the Black Sea corridor had sowed chaos through agricultural markets and sent prices soaring. But as the shipments continued this week - with a one-day interruption Wednesday - despite Russian warnings they could be in danger, Moscow’s leverage appeared limited.