Russia still deciding whether to extend Ukraine grain deal

By SAM MEDNICK
Associated press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has reassured Ukrainian farmers that extending a wartime deal to facilitate Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain and other commodities is a priority for the U.N. The agreement, which Russia and Ukraine signed separately with the U.N. and Turkey, is set to expire on Nov. 19. A Russian diplomat on Tuesday cited Moscow’s dissatisfaction with its implementation. Speaking to farmers and reporters at a grain storage facility in Kyiv. U.S. ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she saw Ukraine “as the breadbasket of the world.” Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Tuesday that the Kremlin has not yet decided whether to extend its agreement with Turkey and the U.N.