A seaport grain terminal damaged during Russian missile and drone strikes in Odesa region, Ukraine on July 19, 2023.

Comment: Why Russia pulled out of its grain deal with Ukraine

What does the move mean for the global food system?

The Russia-Ukraine grain deal that has been critical to keeping global food prices stable and preventing famine is now in tatters. On July 17, Russia said it was pulling out of the year-old deal, which allowed shipments of grains and other foodstuffs to travel past the Russian naval blockade in the Black Sea. To make