Russia Pushes for End to Black Sea Grain Deal with Ukraine on May 18

Russia will not approve new grain shipments from Ukraine after May 18 unless demands are met.
A U.N.-brokered deal allowed grain exports from Ukraine through a safe Black Sea channel, but Russia wants its own exports facilitated in exchange for an extension.
Ukraine’s grain exports to eastern Europe are at risk due to import bans, though Romania is not joining other countries imposing bans.
Russia says almost nothing has been done to address its concerns over the deal, though inspections of grain ships leaving Ukraine have resumed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet with the U.N. Secretary-General to discuss the deal’s future on May 16.