The Biden White House urged Russia on Monday to reverse its decision to exit the Black Sea Grain Initiative amid the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The deal was brokered in 2022 in an effort to stabilize global food prices that had skyrocketed in response to the war. The Black Sea region produces nearly all the grain sold in Europe and Africa.
"Russia's decision to suspend participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative will worsen food insecurity and harm millions of vulnerable people around the world," acting National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement Monday morning. "More than half of the 32 million metric tons of grain and foodstuffs shipped through the initiative has gone to developing countries, including some of the most food insecure regions of the globe.
