All eyes are currently on Geneva, where officials of the United States and Russia are currently holding talks to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.

High-stakes talks aimed to reduce west's worries of invasion

Russia will be forced to take necessary measures to eliminate unacceptable threats if the United States and NATO don’t respond to Moscow’s security proposals, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.

“If a constructive response does not follow within a reasonable time and the West continues its aggressive line, then Russia will be forced to take all necessary measures to ensure a strategic balance and eliminate unacceptable threats to our security,” Lavrov told news agency Sputnik.

The remarks came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Joe Biden spoke over phone, where the two focused on the security guarantee talks set for early January 2022 amid simmering tensions over Ukraine.

The security guarantees talks will be held in three formats: between Russia and the US in Geneva on 10 January, followed by a Russia-NATO Council meeting on 12 January, and Russia-OSCE consultations on 13 January.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-russia-talks-biden-affirms-sanctions-threat-putin-says-that-would-be-colossal-mistake-441294">US-Russia talks: Biden affirms sanctions threat; Putin says that would be colossal mistake</a>

Lavrov said that Washington and its allies are currently reviewing Russia’s proposals.

Russia had recently sent a draft agreement to&nbsp;NATO&nbsp;and a draft treaty to the United States both on&nbsp;security&nbsp;guarantees in Europe for the Western countries to consider.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-tensions-with-ukraine-russia-inducts-s-550-air-defence-system-report-440960">Also Read:&nbsp;Amid tensions with Ukraine, Russia inducts S-550 air defence system</a>

The security guarantee documents demand that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back its military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.

However, US and its allies refused to consider Russia's demand on Ukraine, citing NATO’s principle that membership is open to any qualifying country.

They agreed, however, to hold talks with Russia to discuss its concerns.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia will be forced to take necessary measures to eliminate unacceptable threats if the United States and NATO don’t respond to Moscow’s security proposals, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.

Russia will be forced to take necessary measures to eliminate unacceptable threats if the United States and NATO don’t respond to Moscow’s security proposals, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. “If a constructive response does not follow within a reasonable time and the West continues its aggressive line, then Russia will be forced to take all necessary measures to ensure a strategic balance and eliminate unacceptable threats to our security,” Lavrov told news agency Sputnik. The remarks came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Joe Biden spoke over phone, where the two focused on the security guarantee talks set for early January 2022 amid simmering tensions over Ukraine. The security guarantees talks will be held in three formats: between Russia and the US in Geneva on 10 January, followed by a Russia-NATO Council meeting on 12 January, and Russia-OSCE consultations on 13 January. Also read | US-Russia talks: Biden affirms sanctions threat; Putin says that would be colossal mistake Lavrov said that Washington and its allies are currently reviewing Russia’s proposals. Russia had recently sent a draft agreement to NATO and a draft treaty to the United States both on security guarantees in Europe for the Western countries to consider. Also Read: Amid tensions with Ukraine, Russia inducts S-550 air defence system The security guarantee documents demand that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back its military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe. However, US and its allies refused to consider Russia's demand on Ukraine, citing NATO’s principle that membership is open to any qualifying country. They agreed, however, to hold talks with Russia to discuss its concerns. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia will take measures to eliminate threats if US ignores security proposals: Minister Lavrov

People around the world is is Russia getting prepared for a war with Ukraine. Now there's been a massive true build up along Ukraine's bottom and there's also been a new missile test and the u.s Russia tensions remain at an all-time high.

Russian forces train near Ukraine border

Sphere mounts over a major military escalation in Ukraine Kiev's top security official has now claimed that Russian president Vladimir Putin is pretty much bent on destroying the country.

Kiev Security Supremo Warns Russia

Civil war that is presently underway in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian prime minister Abby Ahmed has said that the federal troops will not advance further in the war-torn region of Tigre to avoid an escalation of the conflict.

Tigray Conflict Has Displaced Millions

The Russian president Vladimir Putin's apparent obsession with Ukraine has brought in a new cold war-like situation. Russia's increasing military buildup along the Ukrainian border and also the latter's repeated warning of a possible retaliation have triggered fears of possible full-fledged conflict.

Vladimir Putin's Ukraine obsession escalates conflict

Tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine over the military buildup near the border, NATO Chief has issued a stern warning to Russia over its military aggression towards its neighbor.

Tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine

Ukraine: Army ready to repel any attack by Russia

Russia announced on Thursday that it was ordering its troop to return to base from the Ukraine border. The troop build-up had strained relations between the two countries that have been uneasy since Russian annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.

The relief among the investors was apparent as the currencies of both, Russia and Ukraine rose sharply after the announcement. Russia also ended the war games in Crimea.

A confirmed pullout of the troops brought in on top of the permanent contingent will likely be welcomed by Western countries that had been expressing alarm at the prospect of further Russian intervention in eastern Ukraine. Russian-backed separatists have been fighting the Ukrainian government in the region since 2014.

Ukrainian president's spokeswoman said earlier this month that Russia had amassed more than 40,000 troops deployed om Ukraine's eastern border and over 40,000 in Crimea. Around 50,000 of them were new deployments, she said.

Moscow did not provide the exact number of troops but had insisted that the movement of Russian troops was defensive in nature.

In a tweet, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine "welcomes any steps to decrease the military presence &amp; deescalate the situation in Donbas (eastern Ukraine)", adding "Grateful to international partners for their support".

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said he had ordered troops involved in exercises to return to their bases by May 1, as they had completed what he called an "inspection" in the border area.

"I believe the objectives of the snap inspection have been fully achieved. The troops have demonstrated their ability to provide a credible defence for the country," Shoigu said.

EQUIPMENT LEFT

Military hardware was to be left at a training ground near the city of Voronezh, about six hours' drive from Ukraine, so that it could be used again later this year in another big scheduled exercise.

Hours earlier, Shoigu had attended manoeuvres in Crimea, which Moscow said involved 10,000 troops and more than 40 warships. Russia also announced it had arrested a Ukrainian man in Crimea as a spy.

(With agency inputs)

Russia announced on Thursday that it was ordering its troop to return to base from the Ukraine border. The troop build-up had strained relations between the two countries that have been uneasy since Russian annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.

Russia announced on Thursday that it was ordering its troop to return to base from the Ukraine border. The troop build-up had strained relations between the two countries that have been uneasy since Russian annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. The relief among the investors was apparent as the currencies of both, Russia and Ukraine rose sharply after the announcement. Russia also ended the war games in Crimea. A confirmed pullout of the troops brought in on top of the permanent contingent will likely be welcomed by Western countries that had been expressing alarm at the prospect of further Russian intervention in eastern Ukraine. Russian-backed separatists have been fighting the Ukrainian government in the region since 2014. Ukrainian president's spokeswoman said earlier this month that Russia had amassed more than 40,000 troops deployed om Ukraine's eastern border and over 40,000 in Crimea. Around 50,000 of them were new deployments, she said. Moscow did not provide the exact number of troops but had insisted that the movement of Russian troops was defensive in nature. In a tweet, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine "welcomes any steps to decrease the military presence & deescalate the situation in Donbas (eastern Ukraine)", adding "Grateful to international partners for their support". Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said he had ordered troops involved in exercises to return to their bases by May 1, as they had completed what he called an "inspection" in the border area. "I believe the objectives of the snap inspection have been fully achieved. The troops have demonstrated their ability to provide a credible defence for the country," Shoigu said. EQUIPMENT LEFT Military hardware was to be left at a training ground near the city of Voronezh, about six hours' drive from Ukraine, so that it could be used again later this year in another big scheduled exercise. Hours earlier, Shoigu had attended manoeuvres in Crimea, which Moscow said involved 10,000 troops and more than 40 warships. Russia also announced it had arrested a Ukrainian man in Crimea as a spy. (With agency inputs)

Russia orders its troops back from areas near Ukraine border

More than 14,000 people have died in seven years of fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine that erupted after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula.

EU warns spark could set off escalation at Ukraine borders

Ukrainian soldiers gearing up to repel Russian attack, if any, along the border. Although international pressure is increasing on Russia, Ukrainian soldiers say that they ready to counter any situation.

"We should only count on ourselves," Taras Mykytsey, a 52-year-old soldier, told AFP in the frontline village of Zaytseve north of the separatist stronghold Donetsk.

The separatists, who have carved out two "People's Republics" in eastern Ukraine, are backed by Russia.

"While we are waiting for something to be sent to us, Putin will not wait," added Mykytsey, sporting a helmet and a bulletproof vest.

Yuriy, a 29-year-old senior sergeant based near the town of Shchastya in the neighbouring Lugansk region, struck a similar note, saying he did not expect Western boots on the ground any time soon.

"What foreign country would want to send its people to their death?" he said.

Yuriy, who declined to give his last name, added that the Russian president would not buckle.

Faced with the largest deployment of Russian troops on Ukraine's borders since 2014, President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested more tangible help from the West, but many Ukrainian troops say they know they are on their own. The soldiers are sceptical that US sanctions and NATO warnings would have any effect on Russia.

US President Joe Biden has pledged his "unwavering support" to Zelensky, and Washington this week hit Moscow with new sanctions over US election interference and other hostile activity.

After talks in Paris on Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Ukranian leader called for a four-way summit with Putin and the resumption of a ceasefire upended by a recent spate of clashes between Kiev troops and the separatists.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian soldiers gearing up to repel Russian attack, if any, along the border. Although international pressure is increasing on Russia, Ukrainian soldiers say that they ready to counter any situation.

Ukrainian soldiers gearing up to repel Russian attack, if any, along the border. Although international pressure is increasing on Russia, Ukrainian soldiers say that they ready to counter any situation. "We should only count on ourselves," Taras Mykytsey, a 52-year-old soldier, told AFP in the frontline village of Zaytseve north of the separatist stronghold Donetsk. The separatists, who have carved out two "People's Republics" in eastern Ukraine, are backed by Russia. "While we are waiting for something to be sent to us, Putin will not wait," added Mykytsey, sporting a helmet and a bulletproof vest. Yuriy, a 29-year-old senior sergeant based near the town of Shchastya in the neighbouring Lugansk region, struck a similar note, saying he did not expect Western boots on the ground any time soon. "What foreign country would want to send its people to their death?" he said. Yuriy, who declined to give his last name, added that the Russian president would not buckle. Faced with the largest deployment of Russian troops on Ukraine's borders since 2014, President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested more tangible help from the West, but many Ukrainian troops say they know they are on their own. The soldiers are sceptical that US sanctions and NATO warnings would have any effect on Russia. US President Joe Biden has pledged his "unwavering support" to Zelensky, and Washington this week hit Moscow with new sanctions over US election interference and other hostile activity. After talks in Paris on Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Ukranian leader called for a four-way summit with Putin and the resumption of a ceasefire upended by a recent spate of clashes between Kiev troops and the separatists. (With inputs from agencies)

Ready to repel Russia, say Ukrainian troops

Russia on Saturday expelled a Ukrainian diplomat who it said was caught "red-handed" trying to obtain sensitive information. Although Russia has detained a number of Ukrainian nationals in recent years, expulsion of a diplomat is rare and is being seen as sign of sharply rising tensions between the two countries.

"A Ukrainian diplomat, a consul of Ukraine's Consulate General in Saint Petersburg, Alexander Sosonyuk, has been detained by Russia's FSB," the security service said in a statement, using the Russian language spelling of his name.

The diplomat was detained on Friday, the security service said. Kiev said the diplomat had spent several hours in detention.

Russian foreign ministry said later on Saturday that it had summoned Ukraine's charge d'affaires Vasyl Pokotylo and told him that the Ukranian diplomat had 72 hours to leave the country "beginning April 19"

"The Russian side pointed to the inadmissibility of such kind of activity," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Russia's domestic intelligence agency said that Sosnyuk had been caught "red-handed" during a meeting with a Russian national as he sought to receive "classified" information.&nbsp;

"Such activity is not compatible with his diplomatic status and is of clearly hostile nature towards the Russian Federation," the FSB said.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have seen sharp escalation in recent weeks. On Saturday, Russia reinforced its naval presence in the Black Sea by sending two warships. These ships are capable of carrying tanks and troops for assault landings.

Ukraine has been accusing Russia of having built up military presence on its borders to destroy "Ukrainian statehood"

Moscow claims that the troop build-up is defensive in nature.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia on Saturday expelled a Ukrainian diplomat who it said was caught "red-handed" trying to obtain sensitive information. Although Russia has detained a number of Ukrainian nationals in recent years, expulsion of a diplomat is rare and is being seen as sign of sharply rising tensions between the two countries.

Russia on Saturday expelled a Ukrainian diplomat who it said was caught "red-handed" trying to obtain sensitive information. Although Russia has detained a number of Ukrainian nationals in recent years, expulsion of a diplomat is rare and is being seen as sign of sharply rising tensions between the two countries. "A Ukrainian diplomat, a consul of Ukraine's Consulate General in Saint Petersburg, Alexander Sosonyuk, has been detained by Russia's FSB," the security service said in a statement, using the Russian language spelling of his name. The diplomat was detained on Friday, the security service said. Kiev said the diplomat had spent several hours in detention. Russian foreign ministry said later on Saturday that it had summoned Ukraine's charge d'affaires Vasyl Pokotylo and told him that the Ukranian diplomat had 72 hours to leave the country "beginning April 19" "The Russian side pointed to the inadmissibility of such kind of activity," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Russia's domestic intelligence agency said that Sosnyuk had been caught "red-handed" during a meeting with a Russian national as he sought to receive "classified" information. "Such activity is not compatible with his diplomatic status and is of clearly hostile nature towards the Russian Federation," the FSB said. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have seen sharp escalation in recent weeks. On Saturday, Russia reinforced its naval presence in the Black Sea by sending two warships. These ships are capable of carrying tanks and troops for assault landings. Ukraine has been accusing Russia of having built up military presence on its borders to destroy "Ukrainian statehood" Moscow claims that the troop build-up is defensive in nature. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia expels Ukrainian diplomat after detaining him amid border tensions

Last week, it was reported that the US would send two warships to the Black Sea in response to heightened Russian military presence at the Ukrainian border.

US cancels warship deployment to Black Sea

Stoltenberg called Moscow's recent troop deployment the biggest military buildup since the conflict in eastern Ukraine began.

'Russia must end military buildup': NATO

The crisis on the Russia-Ukraine border has Europe on high alert, with a defence analyst warning the situation could descend into a “world war” within weeks if tensions aren’t stemmed.

US: Increasingly concerned by Russian troops Build-up at border

Russia's military build-up on Ukranian border raises questions

Russia has announced that people living in separatist regions of Ukraine can enter and exit the country &quot;without a visa&quot;, a decision that has angered the Ukrainian establishment.

A decree, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, said it will recognise &quot;identity papers,&nbsp;school or professional diplomas, birth and death certificates&quot; for people living in the self-declared Lugansk People&#39;s Republic (LNR) and the Donetsk People&#39;s Republic (DNR).

The legislation further said this will continue till the political impasse is over.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian establishment quickly slammed the move, calling it a &quot;deliberate provocation by Putin&quot;.

Ganna Gopko, head of the foreign affairs committee of the Ukrainian parliament, said: &quot;It amounts to a genuine legalisation by the Kremlin of Donbass.&quot;

Donbass is another name for the two regions that have become separatist zones in the country.

Kiev and the West have long been condemning Russia for helping the rebels, though Kremlin has never officially admitted to aiding them.

Gopko said this was another instance of Putin trying to &quot;escalate the situation&quot;.

France and Germany helped broker the Minsk accords with Moscow and Kiev after a three-year conflict.

The war has cost cost some 10,000 lives since Ukraine&#39;s mostly Russian-speaking eastern industrial regions revolted against Kiev&#39;s pro-Western government, after the ouster of the former Soviet republic&#39;s Kremlin-backed president.

&quot;We are very grateful to Russia for this gesture,&quot; Interfax news agency quoted Denis Puchilin, a DNR leader, as saying.

Authorities in pro-Russian rebel held areas last March began distributing passports very similar to Russian ones bearing a two-headed eagle on a red backdrop.

Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov insisted that Moscow would recognise papers issued by the separatist authorities &quot;only for humanitarian reasons,&quot; and even then, only in exceptional cases.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Kremlin's decision to allow free movement of people from Luhansk and Donetsk zones has angered the Ukrainian establishment

Russia has announced that people living in separatist regions of Ukraine can enter and exit the country "without a visa", a decision that has angered the Ukrainian establishment. A decree, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, said it will recognise "identity papers, school or professional diplomas, birth and death certificates" for people living in the self-declared Lugansk People's Republic (LNR) and the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR). The legislation further said this will continue till the political impasse is over. The Ukrainian establishment quickly slammed the move, calling it a "deliberate provocation by Putin". Ganna Gopko, head of the foreign affairs committee of the Ukrainian parliament, said: "It amounts to a genuine legalisation by the Kremlin of Donbass." Donbass is another name for the two regions that have become separatist zones in the country. Kiev and the West have long been condemning Russia for helping the rebels, though Kremlin has never officially admitted to aiding them. Gopko said this was another instance of Putin trying to "escalate the situation". France and Germany helped broker the Minsk accords with Moscow and Kiev after a three-year conflict. The war has cost cost some 10,000 lives since Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking eastern industrial regions revolted against Kiev's pro-Western government, after the ouster of the former Soviet republic's Kremlin-backed president. "We are very grateful to Russia for this gesture," Interfax news agency quoted Denis Puchilin, a DNR leader, as saying. Authorities in pro-Russian rebel held areas last March began distributing passports very similar to Russian ones bearing a two-headed eagle on a red backdrop. Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov insisted that Moscow would recognise papers issued by the separatist authorities "only for humanitarian reasons," and even then, only in exceptional cases. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Russia allows entry, exit for people of pro-Kremlin regions

European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to extend the bloc`s main economic&nbsp;sanctions against Russia over the turmoil in Ukraine for six months until mid-2017, diplomats said.&nbsp;

The decision was expected and the formal process to extend the sanctions on Russia`s defence, energy&nbsp;and financial sectors will take place early next week, they said.

&quot;We welcome unanimous decision by the EU to extend economic and sectoral sanctions against Russia,&quot;&nbsp;Ukraine`s president, Petro Poroshenko, said in a statement.

&quot;I am sincerely grateful for unwavering unity and solidarity of the European leaders in restoring&nbsp;Ukraine`s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Crimea.&quot;&nbsp;

The bloc slapped sanctions on Russia after it annexed Ukraine`s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from&nbsp;Ukraine in 2014 and stepped them up as Moscow went on to support a separatist rebellion in Ukraine`s&nbsp;industrial east.&nbsp;

The conflict is not resolved and has killed nearly 10,000 people.&nbsp;

The decision was also meant as a signal to US&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on&nbsp;January&nbsp;20 and has worried the EU with his promises to seek a rapprochement with Russia.&nbsp;

&quot;It would send a very bad signal vis-a-vis Trump if we shied away from this extension, or prolonged&nbsp;them by a shorter period of time,&quot; a senior EU official said.

Poland was among the EU states that wanted a longer extension of the sanctions, but Italy has been a&nbsp;leading voice in the bloc in calling for re-establishing business ties with Moscow.&nbsp;

Despite threats in October by some EU leaders, the bloc has shied away from slapping new sanctions&nbsp;on Russia over the conflict in Syria.

In a separate decision on Thursday, EU leaders agreed to spell out limits to a landmark cooperation&nbsp;accord with Ukraine in order to address Dutch concerns and prevent the deal from falling through.

(AFP)

EU leaders agreed to extend for another six months damaging economic sanctions imposed on Russia for its role in the Ukraine crisis

European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to extend the bloc`s main economic sanctions against Russia over the turmoil in Ukraine for six months until mid-2017, diplomats said. The decision was expected and the formal process to extend the sanctions on Russia`s defence, energy and financial sectors will take place early next week, they said. "We welcome unanimous decision by the EU to extend economic and sectoral sanctions against Russia," Ukraine`s president, Petro Poroshenko, said in a statement. "I am sincerely grateful for unwavering unity and solidarity of the European leaders in restoring Ukraine`s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Crimea." The bloc slapped sanctions on Russia after it annexed Ukraine`s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and stepped them up as Moscow went on to support a separatist rebellion in Ukraine`s industrial east. The conflict is not resolved and has killed nearly 10,000 people. The decision was also meant as a signal to US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20 and has worried the EU with his promises to seek a rapprochement with Russia. "It would send a very bad signal vis-a-vis Trump if we shied away from this extension, or prolonged them by a shorter period of time," a senior EU official said. Poland was among the EU states that wanted a longer extension of the sanctions, but Italy has been a leading voice in the bloc in calling for re-establishing business ties with Moscow. Despite threats in October by some EU leaders, the bloc has shied away from slapping new sanctions on Russia over the conflict in Syria. In a separate decision on Thursday, EU leaders agreed to spell out limits to a landmark cooperation accord with Ukraine in order to address Dutch concerns and prevent the deal from falling through. (AFP)

EU agrees to extend sanctions against Russia until mid-2017

Grain millers in Bangladesh are boosting their wheat purchases from Russia and Ukraine as cargoes from key exporter India fade due to a supply squeeze in that country.

Bangladesh has booked about 800,000 tonnes of wheat from the Black Sea region for shipment between mid-July and October, up from around 550,000-600,000 tonnes in the same period last year, two trade sources said.

Strong demand from South Asia&#39;s top wheat importer and other key buyers could help buoy benchmark futures, which have been recovering from a 10-year low of $3.99-1/4 a bushel hit earlier this month due to pressure from plentiful global production.

&quot;India is out of the market, Bangladesh buyers are taking larger volumes of feed wheat as well as milling grade wheat from Russia and Ukraine,&quot; said one Singapore-based trader.

&quot;It is all about prices, most Bangladeshi millers take the cheapest origin.&quot;

Buyers paid $155-$168 a tonne, free on board, for Black Sea feed wheat with about 10.5-per cent protein content, the sources said. They declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media.

For milling wheat with 11.5- to 12.5-per cent protein, importers have paid $165-$180 a tonne FOB, they said.

India has been exporting wheat to Bangladesh for the last few years, but its recent crops have been hit by a severe drought linked to the El Nino weather pattern and by unseasonable rains.

Bin-busting

Russia and Ukraine, two of the Black Sea region&#39;s leading wheat producers, have seen bin-busting grain production.

Ukraine&#39;s 2016 grain harvest is likely to be around 3 million tonnes bigger than the year before at around 63 million tonnes, agriculture ministry official Leonid Sukhomlin said earlier this week.

And Russia is facing a lack of grain storage as it remains on track to produce the largest cereal crop in post-Soviet history, said the head of Russia&#39;s Grain Union. 
 
But analysts warned against relying too heavily on shipments from the Black Sea.

&quot;Worldwide, many countries are depending on Russia to supply much of their wheat and that is risky,&quot; said one agricultural commodities analyst. &quot;There could be delays.&quot;

Much of the Middle East and North Africa has heavily booked wheat shipments from the Black Sea region, taking advantage of lower prices.

Traders said there is already a delay of 10-12 days for ships waiting to load wheat at Russian ports.

Bangladesh has also booked about 200,000 tonnes of higher quality Canadian milling wheat, the sources said.

The South Asian nation has ramped up its wheat purchases from Russia and Ukraine by almost 33%

Grain millers in Bangladesh are boosting their wheat purchases from Russia and Ukraine as cargoes from key exporter India fade due to a supply squeeze in that country. Bangladesh has booked about 800,000 tonnes of wheat from the Black Sea region for shipment between mid-July and October, up from around 550,000-600,000 tonnes in the same period last year, two trade sources said. Strong demand from South Asia's top wheat importer and other key buyers could help buoy benchmark futures, which have been recovering from a 10-year low of $3.99-1/4 a bushel hit earlier this month due to pressure from plentiful global production. "India is out of the market, Bangladesh buyers are taking larger volumes of feed wheat as well as milling grade wheat from Russia and Ukraine," said one Singapore-based trader. "It is all about prices, most Bangladeshi millers take the cheapest origin." Buyers paid $155-$168 a tonne, free on board, for Black Sea feed wheat with about 10.5-per cent protein content, the sources said. They declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media. For milling wheat with 11.5- to 12.5-per cent protein, importers have paid $165-$180 a tonne FOB, they said. India has been exporting wheat to Bangladesh for the last few years, but its recent crops have been hit by a severe drought linked to the El Nino weather pattern and by unseasonable rains. Bin-busting Russia and Ukraine, two of the Black Sea region's leading wheat producers, have seen bin-busting grain production. Ukraine's 2016 grain harvest is likely to be around 3 million tonnes bigger than the year before at around 63 million tonnes, agriculture ministry official Leonid Sukhomlin said earlier this week. And Russia is facing a lack of grain storage as it remains on track to produce the largest cereal crop in post-Soviet history, said the head of Russia's Grain Union. But analysts warned against relying too heavily on shipments from the Black Sea. "Worldwide, many countries are depending on Russia to supply much of their wheat and that is risky," said one agricultural commodities analyst. "There could be delays." Much of the Middle East and North Africa has heavily booked wheat shipments from the Black Sea region, taking advantage of lower prices. Traders said there is already a delay of 10-12 days for ships waiting to load wheat at Russian ports. Bangladesh has also booked about 200,000 tonnes of higher quality Canadian milling wheat, the sources said.

Bangladesh looks to Black Sea region for wheat as India supply dwindles

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