Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s ports could lead to destabilization and widespread protests in Africa and Europe.
Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of food. Our country costs 42% of sunflower oil, 16% of corn and 9% of wheat sold on the world market. The war waged by Russia against Ukraine halted these exports, bringing the world to the brink of an economic crisis. Now Russia is haggling with the West about the release of Ukrainian cargo. What can come out of it?
Grain in exchange for penalties
The head of the aggressor country, in rare conversations with Western representatives, offers to replace the solution of food problems that have arisen due to his own actions for the removal of sanctions against Russia .
“Vladimir Putin stressed that the Russian Federation is ready to make a significant contribution to overcoming the food crisis through the export of grain and fertilizers, subject to the removal of Western political restrictions, “said the Kremlin after Putin’s talks with the Italian Prime Minister. Minister Mario Draghi.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has agreed that Russia is ready to enter grain-bearing ships into the Mediterranean if Ukraine removes its ports.
“If Kyiv solves the demining port problem, the Russian Navy will ensure the unhindered passage of grain -bearing ships into the Mediterranean Sea,” Lavrov said.
Ukraine’s response
Ukraine, together with partners, is discussing the possibility of creating an international mission to unblock Ukraine’s maritime exports and, as a first step, requires Russia to withdraw its forces in sea area around Ukraine and provide guarantees of non -aggression, Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, said, commenting on Lavrov’s statement.
Nikolenko denied Lavrov’s words, mentioning that by attacking Ukraine, Russia had besieged Ukrainian ports, and the Russian army had inherited part of the maritime area and was constantly trying to break down the defenses of Odessa and other coastal cities from the Black Sea.
According to Nikolenko, Ukraine is working with partners on the possibility of creating an international mission, in particular, under the auspices of the UN, which will take over the operation of sea routes for the export of agricultural products. of Ukrainian.
Ukraine welcomes the initial readiness of some countries to join the process of restoring security in the Black Sea.
At the same time, Ukraine demands that Russia, as a first step, should withdraw its forces in the maritime area around Ukraine and provide security guarantees not to attack ports and commercial convoys.
“Russia must immediately unblock Ukrainian ports, stop shelling Odessa and other coastal cities, withdraw its navy at a distance that will prevent attacks on ships trade, and did not create barriers to international navigation, ”Nikolenko said.
“We call on countries whose food security may suffer more from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine to use their relations with Moscow to force it to remove the blockade on Ukraine’s ports and stop the war, “added the spokesman of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
Will there be chaos?
“It is impossible to overcome the issue of Russia’s blockade of our ports. Because of this act of aggression, the world is on the brink of a food crisis. It is not just a food problem.
If this is not prevented, we will get the problem of political unrest in some countries in Africa, Asia, and consequently the migration crisis in Europe, when people from countries suffering from hunger are looking for safety, ”he said. by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to him, the crisis in Africa will inevitably flow throughout Europe.
“Also, the food crisis will inevitably lead to large-scale protests in European countries. Many governments need to explain to the protesters why our continent has been held hostage by a Russian state and a man in Moscow, who ordered a naval blockade of Ukraine, “stressed the President of Ukraine.
What the West thinks
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Matti Maasikas said yesterday that perhaps Russia’s most blatant lie was regarding the food crisis.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg supports Allied efforts to find ways to export more grain from Ukraine, including by ship.
“The easiest option to continue sending grains is if Putin ends the war and ends the blockade. But since this is not happening now, I applaud the efforts of various countries, including the Alliance’s allies in communicating. “liaised with the UN, which is looking for a way to export more grain. Partly through land routes, and also considering the possibility of exporting grain by ships,” Stoltenberg said. .
Lithuania, Estonia and the Netherlands have said they will consider sending naval escorts to help ships get out of Ukrainian ports blocked by Russia.
“We see the global impact of the war on energy and food prices. And this is due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The problem of grain exports from Ukraine arose not because of our sanctions, but because of Putin’s war against Ukraine, “the Secretary General added. NATO.
Turkey invented everything
Ukrainian grain will be delivered to world markets thanks to the mechanism of the command center planned to be established in Istanbul, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency.
The publication wrote that a roadmap has been prepared under the auspices of the UN to address the global food crisis. And its details will be discussed in the coming days at a meeting with representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN.
“The quadripartite meeting will address issues such as routes, insurance and security of ships, and especially demining in the region,” the publication said.
Sources in diplomatic circles said Putin and Zelensky had positively assessed cooperation in creating a “grain corridor”.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.