In a significant development to combat the global food crisis, the grain deal between Ukraine and Russia has been extended for additional two months. The agreement, initially brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022, has played a crucial role in facilitating the safe export of grain, sunflower oil and other products from Ukrainian ports located along the Black Sea. With the extension of this vital initiative, millions of tonnes of grain can continue to reach countries in need, helping to stabilise food supplies and alleviate hunger. 

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian grain exports were severely disrupted as Russian military vessels blockaded Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. The blockade trapped approximately 20 million tonnes of grain, significantly increasing global food prices. The situation posed a grave threat to food supplies, particularly in Middle Eastern and African countries heavily reliant on Ukrainian grain. Recognising the situation’s urgency, the United Nations and Turkey intervened to negotiate a solution.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, established on July 22, 2022, created a safe maritime humanitarian corridor that allowed food and fertiliser export from three Ukrainian ports: Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. This corridor, spanning 310 nautical miles and three nautical miles wide, allowed cargo ships to navigate through the Black Sea, ensuring the transport of essential commodities. Since its inception, the initiative has successfully facilitated the export of over 30 million tonnes of grain and other products.

Russia had previously threatened to withdraw from the grain deal, citing obstacles to its own agricultural exports resulting from Western sanctions. Kyiv authorities and their Western allies asserted that Moscow was attempting to undermine the deal and exploit food exports as a political weapon. In the end, the Ukraine-Russia grain deal has been extended for an additional two months to address ongoing food security challenges and the need for sustained grain exports. This extension is a crucial step in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of grain shipments through the Black Sea corridor. Initially meant to be extended for 120-day days, the agreement has faced challenges due to divergent interests and concerns over agricultural exports.

The grain exports from Ukraine through the Black Sea corridor have reached various countries, including both developed and developing nations. While approximately 64% of wheat exports have reached developing countries, maise has been exported almost equally to developed and developing nations. The United Nations World Food Programme has also shipped wheat from Ukrainian ports to countries such as Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti, aiming to alleviate hunger and support vulnerable populations. The availability of additional grain supplies from Ukraine has played a significant role in stabilising food prices and addressing the mounting food crisis. The prices of essential grains, including wheat and maise, have gradually declined since the establishment of the initiative and brought much-needed relief to consumers worldwide.

Moldova recently announced its decision to initiate the procedure for withdrawing from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The move reflects Moldova’s dissatisfaction with the organisation’s effectiveness since, as the head of the Moldovan government mentions, “being in CIS did not protect member countries from military attacks, war, illegal occupation of sovereign territories”. Moldova’s desire for European integration and concerns over Russian influence has further fueled its determination to sever ties with the CIS.

The CIS, formed in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, aimed to foster cooperation among former member states in economic, political, and security matters. However, in recent years, the organisation has experienced diminishing participation and criticism of Russian dominance. Moldova joined the CIS as a founding member, hoping to benefit from economic and political cooperation with other post-Soviet states. However, Moldova’s engagement with the CIS has been limited and sporadic, with declining participation from Moldovan delegates in the Interparliamentary Assembly. Pro-Western parties, such as the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), have criticised the CIS as an ineffective organisation and advocated for closer alignment with the European Union.

Moldova’s decision to withdraw from the CIS stems from its frustration with the organisation’s inability to address critical issues. Moldovan officials, including Igor Grosu, head of the Moldovan parliament, have cited the CIS’s failure to resolve the Transnistrian conflict and remove Russian forces from Moldovan territory. Moldova has also expressed discontent with the CIS’s perceived inability to protect member countries from economic embargoes, energy blackmail, military attacks, and the illegal occupation of sovereign territories.

The withdrawal from the CIS is accompanied by notable progress in press freedom. Recent data from 2023 reveals that Moldova ranks highest in terms of press freedom among CIS countries. Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine follow closely behind, while Turkmenistan, Russia, and Belarus are identified as the most oppressive in limiting the press. Moldova’s pursuit of European integration aligns with its commitment to democratic values, including independent media. Upholding press freedom will be crucial for Moldova’s democratic progress and its aspirations for closer ties with the European Union. Moldova’s pro-Western government, led by President Maia Sandu, has emphasised the importance of European integration and has sought to align its policies accordingly. The withdrawal from the CIS represents a stepping stone toward Moldova’s long-term goal of EU membership.

However, the withdrawal from the CIS has raised concerns and provoked diverse reactions from the pro-Russian opposition parties within Moldova. Those argue against withdrawal, highlighting potential negative economic consequences and disruptions to trade with former Soviet countries. The geopolitical tensions between Moldova and Russia have intensified, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, resulting in fears that the conflict may spill over into Moldova.