Kyiv, Ukraine – Negotiations surrounding continued international support for Ukrainian grain exports have hit a snag, with shipments significantly slowing down due to a growing dispute between the European Union and the United States over funding and logistical responsibilities. The slowdown threatens to exacerbate global food security concerns, particularly in import-reliant nations in Africa and the Middle East.

For months, a fragile agreement brokered by the UN and Turkey has allowed Ukraine to export millions of tons of grain via the Black Sea despite the ongoing war with Russia. However, recent weeks have seen a marked decrease in the number of inspected vessels and a reluctance from both the EU and US to provide the necessary funds to sustain the operation.

Sources within the Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture indicate a backlog of over 150 ships waiting for inspection, vital to ensuring the safety of passage through mined waters. The US is reportedly insisting on greater EU financial contribution, arguing that Europe is geographically closer and therefore bears more responsibility. The EU, however, contends that the US is failing to provide crucial logistical support, including naval escorts and insurance guarantees.

“We are deeply concerned by the increasingly tense atmosphere surrounding the grain deal,” stated Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in a press conference today. “The delay in funding and logistical support is already impacting our ability to fulfill outstanding contracts. This is not just a Ukrainian issue; it is a global humanitarian crisis waiting to happen.”

The Kremlin, meanwhile, has remained characteristically silent on the matter, contributing to growing anxieties. Analysts suggest Russia may be exploiting the discord between the US and EU to further destabilize the situation and exert pressure on Kyiv.

Several aid organizations have issued urgent warnings, highlighting the potential for devastating consequences if the grain shipments are not resumed promptly. "Millions of people depend on Ukrainian grain for their daily sustenance," said Anya Sharma, spokesperson for World Food Programme. “A prolonged disruption will inevitably lead to hunger and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations."

Negotiations are expected to resume in Brussels next week, with UN officials actively mediating to avert a potential catastrophe. The future of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and the millions who rely on it, hangs in the balance.