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Russia extends grain deal with Ukraine

01:40 | Russia will extend the deal with Ukraine on grain exports through the Black Sea by 60 days, Moscow said after consultations with the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

The agreement, signed last July, allows the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products despite the war. The deals were extended to March 18 in November after difficult negotiations.

Whether the deal is extended again within 60 days will depend on the easing of sanctions against Russian food and fertilizer exports, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said in a statement.

The deal slowed food prices globally as Ukraine, a major wheat producer, was able to export again. At the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago, large shortages threatened and prices soared. The agreement is therefore one of the few diplomatic successes since the war.

Situation on Tuesday 14 March

THE Chinese President Xi Jinping he plans to visit Russia as early as next week, sources telling Reuters news agency said. Xi also plans to speak with Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since the war began, according to the Wall Street Journal.

THE Italian government said Russian mercenary group Wagner is behind a wave of migrant boats attempting to cross the Mediterranean as part of Moscow’s strategy to retaliate against countries supporting Ukraine, Reuters reported.

The International Criminal Court intends to open two war crimes cases related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and will seek arrest warrants against several people.

Fly agreed to extend a deal allowing for the safe export of grain from Ukrainian Black Sea ports, but only for a 60-day period, half of the previous extension, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said.

THE Serbian Minister of Economy Rade Basta has called for sanctions against Russia. Basta said Serbia, which has traditionally had close ties with Russia, paid a “heavy price” for the delay.

Atesh partisan group he says shortly after midnight on Monday he killed the deputy head of the Nova Kakhovka military administration for collaborating with the Russian occupation.

Great Britain said the UK’s security hinged on the outcome of the war in Ukraine in an update to its foreign policy framework released on Monday.

THE British Royal Navy it said it was escorting a Russian frigate and tanker in waters near the UK after tracking the ships across the Channel on Sunday morning.

President Zelensky he said his administration will spend $13.5 billion on defense this year, including military and drone paychecks.

A senior member of the Russian parliament On Monday, he introduced a bill in parliament to raise the conscription age from the current 18-27 to 21-30 by 2026, Reuters reported.