Sharjah24 - AFP: The Kremlin on Monday said it was exiting a major agreement to facilitate Ukraine grain exports hours after drones struck Russia's only bridge connecting its mainland to the annexed Crimea peninsula.
Moscow, which has for months complained about the implementation of the grain pact, said the attack on the Kerch bridge had nothing to do with its withdrawal from the deal designed to avoid food shortages in vulnerable countries.
"The grain deal has ceased. As soon as the Russian part (of the agreements) are fulfilled, the Russian side will immediately return to the grain deal," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
But President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to keep exporting grain via the Black Sea despite Russia's exit from the deal.
"Even without the Russian Federation, everything must be done so that we can use this Black Sea corridor," Zelensky said.
"We are not afraid. We have been approached by companies that own ships. They said that they are ready" to continue shipments, he said.
Moscow's announcement came hours after drones hit the sole road link connecting Russia to the annexed Crimea peninsula, a key supply line for Russian forces in the south of Ukraine.
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