Uncertainty looms over Black Sea grain deal as closure approaches.

Russia has said it will not approve any new vessels for the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain unless their operators guarantee the transits will be done by May 18, the expected date of closure. Russia has strongly signaled that it will not allow the Ukraine Black Sea export deal to continue beyond May 18 because a list of demands to facilitate its own grain and fertilizer exports has not been met. The deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to help tackle a global food crisis that U.N. officials said had been worsened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.