Turkish and UN diplomats have spent the last several weeks trying to forge a deal between Ukraine and Russia that would see Kyiv’s embargoed wheat be able to reach ports around the world. There have been several challenges facing Ukraine’s exports, not the least of which is the fact that Kyiv mined many of its own seaways in an attempt to stymie hostile Russian naval activity in the region.
This week marked the first shipment of grain under a newly forged agreement between Russia and Ukraine, and while many are hopeful the deal will facilitate greater global grain supplies there are a few reasons to remain skeptical.