Russia agrees to resume participation in Ukraine grain deal

 Russia on Wednesday indicated it is resuming its participation in the Ukraine grain deal, noting that Ukraine has given “sufficient” guarantees on demilitarising a maritime corridor. Russia withdrew from the UN-brokered deal on Saturday after its Black Sea Fleet based in Crimea’s Sevastopol port was attacked by drones. Russia considered that a “terrorist attack.”

The defence ministry in a statement on Wednesday, indicated that “Russia considers that the received guarantees are at the moment sufficient and is resuming the implementation of the agreement.”

The defence ministry emphasized that Ukraine made written guarantees, noting, “thanks to the participation” of the UN and “assistance” from Turkey.

The ministry maintained that Ukraine  guaranteed “the non-use of the humanitarian corridor and Ukrainian ports defined in the interests of the export of agricultural products for conducting military operations against the Russian Federation.”

President Vladimir Putin of Russian had told President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turky that he wanted “real guarantees” from Ukraine before rejoining the deal.