FACT CHECK: Evidence-Free Claims From Putin on Black Sea Grain Deal

Meeting with the Russian Security Council on November 2, Vladimir Putin said Russia would resume taking part in an agreement to protect ships carrying grain from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

That was a reversal from days earlier, when Russia claimed Ukraine had undermined the so-called Black Sea Grain Initiative after attackers hit Russian military ships in Crimea.

Putin said:

“Ukraine used this [grain] humanitarian corridor to attempt to attack the Russian Black Sea Fleet. In this connection, we decided to suspend our participation in the grain convoys.”

He said Russia only resumed participation because Ukraine said it would never happen again:

“Our Defense Ministry received information from the Turkish side that Ukraine had provided these assurances and that these humanitarian corridors would not be used for military purposes.”

Problem is, Russia’s claim that Ukraine exploited the humanitarian corridor for an attack is unsubstantiated. And recall that a day after the grain accord was reached on July 22, it was Russia that unleashed a missile strike on the port of Odesa.

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