Russia said it will not renew a deal brokered by the U.N. along with Turkey which allows grain from Ukraine to be shipped from Black Sea ports to foreign markets unless restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance are lifted on Russian vessels exporting food. Russia accuses Ukrainian officials of demanding bribes from Russian ship owners or the ships delay paperwork processing. Russia also accuses the U.N. for not holding Ukraine accountable. Russia and Ukraine are two key exporters of wheat, and other vital agricultural products, especially to African countries. In an ironic twist, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have imposed import bans on Ukrainian grain which has been shipped to Eastern Europe because of the limits of shipping grain via the Black Sea. The current grain deal between Russia and Ukraine is set to expire May 18.
