Kugelman: Pakistan's Role Amid Russia-Ukraine Tensions in Black Sea Deal. Geopolitics

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine tensions, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has initiated a significant dialogue with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. The focus of their discussion revolves around the far-reaching effects of the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This global concern pertains to the disruption of the food supply chain and the resulting challenges to food security, particularly in the developing world. The conversation follows the recent visit of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to Islamabad. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, formally established in July 2022 in Istanbul through the collaboration of Russia, Ukraine, Türkiye, and the UN, aimed to restore exports from three Ukrainian ports that had ceased operations since the commencement of the conflict in February of the same year. Offering valuable insights, Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center, sheds light on Pakistan's potential contributions toward reinstating and rejuvenating the Black Sea Grain Initiative.