Russia's Potential Return to Black Sea Grain Deal Talks Raises Questions

The United States has stated that Russia has expressed readiness to resume talks on a deal that allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea, but no evidence of this has been seen yet. Russia withdrew from the deal on July 17 and has demanded improvements in its own grain and fertilizer exports before considering its return. The U.S. envoy to the United Nations emphasized that Russia needs to return to the deal if it wants to facilitate its own agricultural transactions. The U.N. Secretary-General is continuing efforts to bring Russia back into the agreement.