Many people in the world's poorest regions rely on shipments from the Black Sea for food, and it was feared the spiralling cost was fuelling a hunger crisis. In a phone call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday, he said commitments to remove obstacles to Russian food and fertiliser exports had yet to be fulfilled.Ī United Nations spokesman said on Friday that secretary-general Antonio Guterres was waiting for a response from Putin on a proposal to extend the deal.Ī blockade set up by Russia's Black Sea fleet after it invaded Ukraine cut off supplies to markets around the world and sent grain prices soaring. Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened to end the deal, which has been regarded as crucial to combat hunger crises in developing nations.

The deadline to extend the agreement is fast approaching: Ukraine and Russia have until tomorrow to renew it, but Moscow has so far declined to. The last ship provided safe passage by the Black Sea grain deal has left the port of Odesa, according to Reuters.

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