"UN Warns of Potential Deaths as Black Sea Grain Deal Ends"

The United Nations warns that the spike in grain prices following Russia's withdrawal from a Black Sea grain deal could potentially lead to hunger and death for millions of people. The UN's aid chief states that 362 million people in 69 countries are in need of humanitarian assistance. Russia left the deal due to unmet demands and insufficient Ukrainian grain reaching the poorest countries. US wheat futures rose over 6% this week, but there are hopes that Russia may resume talks on the deal. The UN argues that the Black Sea deal has helped lower food prices globally, but Russia claims that the impact of the deal is not significant. Russia is currently negotiating food exports to countries in need but has not signed any contracts yet. The UN expresses concern over the attacks on Ukrainian food export facilities and warns of potential impacts on global food security. Turkey's President hopes to restore the Black Sea grain deal through talks with Russia, while the US Ambassador to the UN accuses Russia of using the Black Sea as blackmail. Russia states that it is open to returning to the deal if its demands are met, including the reconnection of its Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT international payments system. The EU remains open to exploring solutions to resume the grain deal.