since then, ukraine has exported 32.8 million tonnes of graine and other food. of grain and other food. un secretary general anthony guterres sharply criticised russia s decision. today s decision by the russian federation will strike a blow to people in need everywhere. but it will not stop our efforts to facilitate the nxp did access to global markets forfood products did access to global markets for food products and fertilisers from both ukraine and the russian federation. our role must be continuing to advance global food security and the global food price stability. this will remain the focus of my efforts, taking into account the rise in human suffering that will inevitably result from today s decision. our correspondent nomia iqbal has been covering the un security council meeting in new york. there s been condemnation of russia s decision not to extend the grain initiative. the uk foreign secretary james cleverly who was heading the security council meeting accused v
Russia to crimea, and the end of a critical food security agreement. first, the international reaction to russia s pulling out of an international grain deal has been widespread and swift. the black sea grain deal let ukraine ship its grain by sea, despite moscow s naval blockaide. the kremlin s spokesman says the agreement has been halted until russia s demands are met. but ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy remains defiant, saying his ships will sail without russian approval. it could have serious consequences, as we ve seen in the past. that s because ukraine is one of the world s largest exporters of key crops, including sunflower, maize, wheat and barley. when russia invaded ukraine in february of 2022, its navy bloackded the country s black sea ports. that trapped 20 million tonnes of grain, sending global food prices skyrocketing. injuly last year, the un and turkey brokered a deal to get grain flowing again. when shipments restarted, world food prices fell by about 20%.