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grain deal extension

Ukrainian farmer visits his crop storage that was destroyed by Russian military strike near a frontline outside Orikhiv.
What We're Watching

No grain from Ukraine

Poland, Slovakia and Hungary have once again announced their own unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports, after the European Commission chose not to extend a broader import ban to five countries that border Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi, Russia, on Sept. 4, 2023.
Europe

No pain, no grain

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s weekend meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has failed to revive the Black Sea grain deal. The UN-brokered agreement, which guaranteed safe passage for Ukrainian grain shipments to markets in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, had been on hold since July. Russia refused to extend the deal, citing a failure to honor a parallel agreement to remove obstacles to its food and fertilizer exports.

On Monday, Putin reiterated this demand.

A Turkish cargo shop loaded with Ukrainian agricultural products leaves the Port of Odessa.
News

The limits of Russia’s grain weapon

This time, the effect of the Ukraine grain deal suspension will likely be more limited than worst-case scenarios suggest.

Ukraine Port of Odessa
popular

Is the Ukraine grain deal over?

Fears are growing that Russia could refuse to extend its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative after it expires on Monday.

Biden attends NATO Summit
Quick Take

Biden attends NATO Summit

Ian Bremmer's Quick Take: The big news is coming from NATO, the summit that will start within a day in Vilnius. Heads of state from all the key NATO countries, including of course President Biden. And the big topic will be Ukraine. Not the only one big question about Sweden, whether or not they're joining NATO or not. Erdogan can always decide to change his mind and cut a deal at the last minute. But the big news is what's going to happen with Ukraine, with continued military support for Ukraine that we still see expanding pretty much every week. And all, both in terms of the amount and also the types of armaments, and I'll get into that in a moment.