The Global South Shouldn’t Pay for Putin’s War
By restarting a deal to allow Ukrainian grain exports, Russia’s president has shown he’ll give way to pressure from key partners. It’s time to crank it up.
Sailing on.
Photographer: Nicole Tung/BloombergPresident Vladimir Putin has just made what may be his most significant concession since the invasion of Ukraine.
Just days after suspending Russia’s participation in a deal to allow safe passage for Ukrainian grain exports, sending grain prices higher, the Kremlin agreed to resume the pact. It’s rare volte-face for an autocrat who never admits to doubt. But pressure works, particularly when it comes from the countries an isolated Russia needs the most as friends, intermediaries and export destinations. Moscow was simply unable to torpedo a deal that serves Turkey and the wider, food-importing emerging world — at least not without jeopardizing support from Ankara and others.