Russia's exit from grain deal is slap in face for Africa, Austrian FM says on 

He said this before the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Ukrinform reports.

Schallenberg stressed that "Russia's cynicism is unparalleled" and contradicts the narratives spread by the country.

"Frankly speaking, I have to say that the cynicism of the Russian side is unparalleled. It is a diametrical contradiction to the narrative they are spreading. This is a slap in the face to African countries and other regions that depend on this grain," the Foreign Minister said.

He said that the European Union had made proposals to the Russian side that could satisfy Russia, but Moscow did not agree to them. Schallenberg also stressed that the terrorist country uses hunger as a weapon.

"There was an opportunity, there was flexibility, but not on the Russian side... I think it's quite clear that we have a situation where Moscow is cynically using hunger as a weapon, and bombing major ports," the official said.

Russia terminates the grain deal

On 16 July, the last ship loaded with Ukrainian agricultural products under the initiative left the port of Odesa. On 17 July, Russia announced the termination of the grain deal. In response, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was necessary to continue using the grain corridor even despite Russia's withdrawal from the agreement. And Kuleba began urgent consultations at the UN.

The White House condemned Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal, which played a crucial role in reducing global food prices.

On 18 July, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there were "certain risks" for parties trying to resume the Black Sea Grain Initiative without Russia's participation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that it was critical to restore transport links across the Black Sea to provide food to the world's most vulnerable countries and to preserve the ability to export Ukrainian goods.

On 19 July, it was reported that Ukraine was considering transporting food as part of the grain initiative through the territorial waters of Bulgaria and neighbouring Romania.

At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defence issued a statement threatening ships heading to Ukraine's Black Sea ports. On the same day, Putin named the conditions for Russia's return to the grain deal and demanded their immediate implementation

The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said that the only response to Russia's threats to fire on Ukrainian grain ships could be to increase military aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense announced that starting July 21, all ships heading to the Black Sea in the direction of Russian seaports and Ukrainian ports in the temporarily occupied territory may be treated by Ukraine as military cargo.