EU: Russia is solely to blame for creating the global food crisis

During the Summit in Brussels, EU leaders recognized Russia as a country that is trying to use food as a weapon in the war against Ukraine 

Russia is also considered to be solely responsible for the artificially created food crisis in the world. This is stated in the part of the EU summit resolutions regarding Ukraine.

“Russia, by weaponising food in its war against Ukraine, is solely responsible for the global food security crisis it has provoked. The European Council urges Russia to immediately stop targeting agricultural facilities and removing cereals, and to unblock the Black Sea, in particular the port of Odesa, so as to allow the export of grain and commercial shipping operations,” is stressed in the document.

The European Council expressed its support for the efforts of the UN Secretary General to find a solution to unblock Ukrainian grain exports. EU leaders emphasized that the EU sanctions against Russia provide for the free circulation of agricultural and food products, as well as the free delivery of humanitarian aid.

The European Council also supported the initiative of the European Commission to introduce the so-called corridors of solidarity on the borders with Ukraine, to organize the export of food from Ukraine through various transport routes and further through European ports.

It is to be recalled that, due to the Russian aggressive war against Ukraine, more than 20 million tons of grain were blocked in Ukrainian ports, which was intended for export to foreign markets and, in particular, for the World Food Programme. At the same time, Russia imposed export duties on its own grain, which has caused a significant increase in world food prices and put a number of countries, especially in Africa, at risk of starvation.

According to the EU, the Kremlin is trying to use the food hazard as a weapon of war, which in itself is a war crime. Attempts to blame European sanctions for food shortages make no sense, since they do not affect the supply of food or humanitarian aid.

In the resolutions, there was also mentioned, that “Russia, Belarus and all those responsible for war crimes and the other most serious crimes will be held to account for their actions, in accordance with international law.”

Author - Andrew Klark, 24/06/2022