WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01), and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, released the following statement on the Black Sea Grain Deal and attack on Odesa.

"We strongly condemn Russia’s callous decision to withdraw from the multilateral agreement allowing Ukrainian grain to continue being exported through the Black Sea," said the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. "As the 'breadbasket of Europe' agriculture is fundamental to Ukraine’s economy and the global food supply. Russia’s reneging on an international agreement is yet another attempt to force Ukraine into submission. This decision will not only impact Ukraine but will leave millions around the world at heightened risk of hunger and even on the brink of starvation. Putin knows his decisions will have far reaching and deadly consequences and tragically, he does not care. Russia's overnight attacks on the port city of Odesa demonstrates their intention to completely disrupt the flow of Ukrainian grain to the rest of the world, even if that requires attacking civilian infrastructure."

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