Ukraine and Russia sign deal to get vital grain shipments moving again

United Nations — Ukraine and Russia signed an agreement Friday morning in Turkey committing to let millions of tons of vital grain supplies ship out from Ukraine's long-blockaded southern ports. Russia has blocked Ukraine's Black Sea ports since its full-scale invasion of the country on February 24, drawing accusations from the U.S. and Europe that President Vladimir Putin has weaponized food.

Russian food and fertilizer, which the Putin regime says it has been unable to ship due to sanctions against his country imposed over the Ukraine war, can also be exported as part of the deal, which was brokered and co-signed by Turkey's government and the United Nations.

Although the agreement signed Friday at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace does not to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, it's hoped it can alleviate the global food crisis by increasing supply and helping ease the spiralling costs of basic commodities around the world.