Ukraine live briefing: Deadline for crucial grain deal looms; Putin says he offered Wagner fighters spots in Russian military

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is credited with easing the global food crisis, is set to expire Monday amid rising concerns that Moscow will not renew the deal. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres sent Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter this week with a proposal to keep the deal operational but, as of Friday, Russia had not responded. “The discussions are being had, WhatsApp messages are being sent, Signal messages are being sent and exchanged,” U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters.