The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, regarding Russia’s statements to not renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) by the July 17 deadline. Secretary Blinken and Secretary-General Guterres agreed on the importance of the BSGI to global food security and on the adverse impact its suspension would have on food importers, especially in developing countries. The Secretary thanked the Secretary-General for his firm commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity, in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.