UN chief urges Russia to return to Black Sea deal

FILE PHOTO: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press conference at the diplomatic lounge of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti July 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ralph Teddy Erol/File Photo

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Russia on Monday to return to a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain in line with a proposal he made to President Vladimir Putin.

Russia quit the agreement a week ago, saying that demands to improve its own food and fertilizer exports had not been met, and that not enough Ukraine grain had reached the poorest countries under the Black Sea deal.