UN chief suggests solution for Ukraine Black Sea grain deal in letter to Putin.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed a way forward to Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at improving, extending, and expanding the deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain. The deal was brokered by the UN and Turkey and agreed by Russia and Ukraine in July last year. Russia has signaled it will not allow the deal to continue beyond May 18 because a list of demands for its exports has not been met. The UN has said that there were still impediments to the agreement, particularly in relation to payment systems.