Russia says suspends grain deal participation indefinitely

MOSCOW/U.N./ANKARA, Oct 31 (PRIME) -- Moscow suspended its participation in the grain deal indefinitely on October 29 after the Ukrainian forces damaged the Russian fleet near Sevastopol during grain exports, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Due to the actions of the Ukrainian military forces guided by U.K. experts, targeted, among others, against Russian ships ensuring functining of the humanitarian corridor (which cannot be qualified any other way than a terrorist attack), the Russian side cannot guarantee security of civil bulk carriers participating in the Black Sea Initiative and is suspending fulfillment indefinitely from this date," the ministry said.

An Ankara diplomatic source in said that Turkey and the U.N. were negotiating with Russia its decision, but declined to comment on chances of deal resumption.

Six Ukrainian ships departed with grain but did not enter the humanitarian corridor on October 30.

End