Ex-US Admiral Proposes Attacking Russian Ships in Black Sea Amid Grain Deal Spat
Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative last week, citing the systematic failure by the US and Europe to facilitate the export of Russian foodstuffs and fertilizers. The Russian Foreign Ministry subsequently warned that it could no longer guarantee the safety of navigation through the northwestern Black Sea. | Retired US admiral and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis has proposed deploying alliance forces in the Black Sea and having them attack Russian warships if they attempt to target ships streaming into or out of Ukrainian ports. ● Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Deal on its July 17 renewal deadline, citing Western countries’ failure to lift a number of restrictions on Russian food and agricultural exports. Western powers blasted Moscow over the move and warned that it could result in global food shortages hitting the poorest countries the hardest. Russia pointed out that less than 5 percent of all Ukrainian grain exported via the grain deal actually went to countries in need, and assured that it would take steps to assure that these countries do not go hungry.