Russia has blocked an “unprecedented wartime deal” that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, a hit that could cause global food security.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, announced halting the deal at a press conference on Monday, stressing that the warzone country would return to the deal after its demands are met.

“When the part of the Black Sea deal related to Russia is implemented, Russia will immediately return to the implementation of the deal,” Mr Peskov told reporters.

On Sunday, Vladimir Putin, Russian President, disclosed that Russia has a “sufficient stockpile” of cluster munitions, warning that the country “reserves the right to take reciprocal action” if Ukraine uses the controversial weapons.

Although, agreements that the UN and Turkey brokered with Ukraine and Russia to allow food and fertiliser from the warring nations to parts of the world where millions are hungry have eased concerns over global food security.

Last August, the Black Sea Grain Initiative allowed 32.8 million metric tons (36.2 million tons) of food to be exported from Ukraine – more than half to developing countries, including those getting relief from the World Food Program.

A separate agreement facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertiliser amid Western sanctions.

The warring nations are major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other affordable food products that developing nations rely on.

Russia has complained that shipping and insurance restrictions have hampered its food and fertiliser exports, which are also critical to the global food chain.

The war in Ukraine caused food commodity prices to surge to record highs last year, contributing to a global food crisis.

Like the developing countries, the high costs of grain needed for food staples in places like Egypt, Lebanon, and Nigeria exacerbated economic challenges and pushed millions more people into poverty or food insecurity.

People in developing countries spend more money on meals, while poorer nations that depend on imported food priced in dollars also spend more as their currencies weaken.

Many are forced to import more because of climate issues, as places like Somalia, Kenya, Morocco and Tunisia are struggling with drought.

Prices for global food commodities like wheat and vegetable oil have fallen, but the food was already expensive before the war in Ukraine, and the relief hasn’t trickled down to kitchen tables.

In a rare moment of admission, Russia has admitted that it has suffered significant losses in the ongoing war in Ukraine which amounts to a “huge tragedy” for the country, according to Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov.

In a statement on Friday following the expulsion of Russia by the UN Security Council, Peskov said:
“Yes, we have significant losses of troops and it is a huge tragedy for us.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in a massive military offensive on February 24, was expected to last a few days due to its military might but more than eight weeks after, the war is yet to end with both sides suffering severe casualties.

The war has also caused the world’s fastest refugee crisis with more than 4.3 million fleeing Ukraine to neighbouring countries, while at least 1,500 civilians have been killed so far, according to the United Nations.

Casualties on the Russian side have been harder to assess with the country’s Defence Minister saying on March 25 that 1,351 of its soldiers have been killed in combat, while 3,825 were wounded.

But Ukraine rebutted the figures, saying not less than 19,000 Russian soldiers have been killed so far.

But experts say figures by both parties cannot be trusted as Kyiv is likely to inflate them to boost the morale of its troops, while Russia is probably downplaying them.

However, commenting on the Russian troop withdrawal from certain areas in Ukraine including from Kyiv’s northern region, Peskov said that it was an “act of goodwill” to “lift tensions” during negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.