US President Joe Biden yesterday called Russia's decision to suspend its participation in the agreement on grain exports from Ukrainian ports, vital to world food supplies, scandalous.

"It's simply outrageous. There was no reason for them to do that," said Biden, in statements to the press quoted by Lusa, after casting an early vote in the US midterm elections, in Wilmington, in the state of Delaware.

Russia today announced the suspension of its participation in the agreement on grain exports from Ukrainian ports after a 'drone' (unmanned, remotely controlled aircraft) attack targeted the Russian fleet stationed in Sebastopol Bay in annexed Crimea.

The UN reportedly is making efforts to preserve the agreement, with Ukraine accusing Russia of the "false pretext" of the attack in Crimea to justify suspending the covenant, pressing Moscow to "respect its obligations."

The agreement, concluded in July under the auspices of the UN and Turkey, allowed the export of several million tons of grain held up in Ukrainian ports since the Russian invasion in February, which caused food prices to soar, raising fears of famine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin upped the tone of criticism of the deal, pointing out that exports from Russia, another major grain producer, were being hurt by the sanctions.

Crimea, annexed in March 2014 by Russia after an intervention by its special forces and a referendum denounced by Kiev and the West, serves as the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and as a rear logistical base for the Russian offensive in Ukraine.