International

Three days out from export-corridor renewal and Poland is looking into the cause of a deadly explosion that happened yesterday near its border with Ukraine. It seems the remains of a Russian missile that may have been shot down by Ukraine have hit a farm killing two people, local media reported. There has been no official confirmation but as Poland is part of NATO this could be a different escalation. Russia is denying any involvement.

The Polish Government is now verifying whether there are grounds to trigger Article Five of the NATO treaty. Addressing the media, the government also said it expected to make contact with the US, and is increasing its military readiness.

Explosions in Poland came on the same day that Russia launched a widespread missile attack on Ukraine, one of the broadest aerial assaults since the invasion began. Kyiv and Kharkiv were among the major cities hit. Roughly 100 Russian missiles were aimed primarily at Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure, but Ukraine said it had shot 70 down. Russia is focusing on Ukraine’s ability to provide power to its residents as winter looms.

Prior to all of the above happening the Russian Foreign Minister told reporters at the G20 summit in Bali yestersay that the United Nations had told him of written US and EU promises to remove the obstacles that are hindering Russia’s ability to export grains and fertilisers, something that the extension of the export corridor will depend on.

Importers in China have bought two cargoes of French wheat in the past week for shipment between January and March, adding to large sales this season for lower-protein French crop, European traders said.

Japan is seeking 95,000t of wheat for late February arrival in its regular weekly tender, including 35,000t from the US and 60,000t from Canada.

Jordan made no purchase in its tender for 120,000t of wheat.