An end to the conflict in Ukraine now feels further away than ever

The collapse of the grain deal shows how far the repercussions of this war stretch beyond the borders of Ukraine and Russia, or even the neighbouring states, writes Bel Trew

The grain deal freed nine million tonnes of grain alongside food products such as sunflower oil trapped in Ukraine (EPA)

The grain deal had – indirectly – prevented some 100 million people from falling into extreme poverty, according to the United Nations. It lowered food prices worldwide. It was protecting crops and harvests for the seasons to come. It was set to help stave off hunger in the years ahead of us.

What at first glance appeared to be a logistics and export agreement between Russia and Ukraine has in fact protected the lives of swathes of people globally.

And now it has been put indefinitely on hold by Moscow, which on Saturday accused Kyiv – together with “British specialists” – of launching a massive drone attack on its Black Sea fleet docked in a port in Crimea, which president Putin annexed illegally in 2014. This action, Moscow said, was “reckless” and destroyed the security of the grain corridor.