{
  "id": 9569075,
  "title": "Russia ties Black Sea grain deal with Ukraine to halt in oil refinery strikes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/russia-ties-black-sea-grain-deal-with-ukraine-to-halt-in-oil-refinery",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T14:34:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/russia-ties-black-sea-grain-deal-ukraine-halt-oil-refinery-strikes"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The recent Black Sea grain deal between Russia and Ukraine is linked to a halt in oil refinery strikes, according to sources. Turkey has been seeking a shipping deal through the Black Sea, but Ukrainian officials claim that Russia always demands more concessions. The rusting cargo ship Turgut S, located near the Black Sea port of Sulina, serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region. Both the Russian and Ukrainian governments view Turkey's proposal for a moratorium on Black Sea shipping attacks positively, although Kyiv does not foresee a breakthrough soon due to Moscow's persistent additional demands. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan revealed that Ankara had sent proposals to both sides, but their positions on the Black Sea are difficult to reconcile. Annually, around 72 ships have been targeted in drone attacks, with 50 of those ships having ties to Turkey. Ukrainian officials state that they are ready to agree to a deal modeled on the 2022-2023 Black Sea Grain Initiative, which designated specific ports for grain and fertilizer exports. However, Ukraine remains reluctant to compromise on additional preconditions, such as halting attacks on Russian oil refineries. Turkish officials emphasize that the disruptions to Black Sea shipping have already caused issues for 13 African countries that rely on grain and fertilizer imports from Ukraine and Russia. Relations between Turkey and Russia have improved recently, with the signing of an agreement on mineral fertiliser shipments, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains cautious, suggesting that a deal with Russia could be difficult if Ukraine is forced to halt its long-range strikes.",
  "summary": "Russia ties Black Sea grain deal with Ukraine to halt in oil refinery strikes Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Thu, 09/24/2026 - 14:28 Turkey seeks a Black Sea shipping deal, but Ukrainian officials say Russia 'always asks for more' The rusting hull of the cargo ship Turgut S (also known as Turgut Usta) lies partially submerged in the waters of Musura Bay, near the Black Sea port of Sulina, eastern…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/9569075.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Russia attacks Ukraine while Zelenskyy speaks at UNGA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/russia-attacks-ukraine-while-zelenskyy-speaks-at-unga",
        "published": "2026-09-24T11:39:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "Australia commits to long-term Ukraine support, rolls out 100-plus new Russia sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/australia-commits-to-long-term-ukraine-support-rolls-out-100-plus-new",
        "published": "2026-09-24T12:17:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Meduza (English)",
        "title": "Russia detained an Estonian, accusing him of trying to join Ukraine’s armed forces. He had come to see his wife, whom Estonia had denied asylum.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/russia-detained-an-estonian-accusing-him-of-trying-to-join-ukraines",
        "published": "2026-09-24T14:01:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Politico EU",
        "title": "Le Pen says she won’t leave NATO until Russia’s war in Ukraine ends",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/le-pen-says-she-wont-leave-nato-until-russias-war-in-ukraine-ends",
        "published": "2026-09-24T15:03:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Ukraine’s Presidential Office denies reports of trilateral meeting with U.S. and Russia in New York",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/ukraines-presidential-office-denies-reports-of-trilateral-meeting",
        "published": "2026-09-24T15:49:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Financial Times",
        "title": "Russia raises taxes to fund its war in Ukraine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/russia-raises-taxes-to-fund-its-war-in-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-09-24T15:52:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}