Russia blames Ukraine for putting UN-brokered grain deal at stake

A Russian spokesperson said on Monday that the deal on the shipping of grain in the Black Sea was being put under strain, due to it being "impossible to guarantee the safety of navigation in these areas."

Dmitry Peskov went on to state that, the brokered arrangement to ship grain was "hardly feasible. And it becomes different in character, much more risky, dangerous and unguaranteed."

Currently the deal has seen more than nine million tons of grain exported from Ukraine and has brought down soaring global food prices.

Russia announced on Saturday that it was suspending the implementation of the deal citing an alleged Ukrainian attack against Russia's Black Sea Fleet ships.

Ukraine denied the attack.

Asked about Turkey's intention to continue implementing the deal without Russia's participation, Peskov said only that "contacts continue with the Turkish side, as well as the U.N.," via various channels.

Peskov also reiterated message of the Russian Minister for Agriculture, claiming that Russia is ready to compensate poorest countries for the lost volumes of grain, but the issue of how to do it remains "complex."