Let’s bypass Putin’s blackmail: what the world is offering due to Russia’s withdrawal from the grain agreement
The withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the grain agreement, for which it invented a formal pretext – an alleged drone attack on a ship of the Black Sea Fleet in occupied Sevastopol, did not actually change anything for Ukraine. As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, the aggressor country made this decision back in September, as evidenced by the queue of ships in the Black Sea.
Moreover, the Ministry of Infrastructure assured that Ukraine is not going to stop the export of grain and will continue to ship agricultural products to provide food for millions of people in the countries of Africa, Asia and Europe.
The UN, which is one of the three signatories of the agreement, said it was in contact with the Russian authorities.
How the world is reacting to Russia’s decision – ICTV Facts collected comments from Western politicians.
In particular, the European Union should call on Russia to cancel its decision.
– Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the Black Sea Agreement endangers the main way of exporting grain and fertilizers, which are extremely necessary to solve the global food crisis caused by its war against Ukraine, – stressed the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell.
Russia’s decision to suspend participation in the Black Sea deal puts at risk the main export route of much-needed grain and fertilizers to address the global food crisis caused by its war against Ukraine.
The EU urges Russia to reverse its decision.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) October 30, 2022
Great Britain, which the Russian Federation also accused of an alleged attack on a ship of the Black Sea Fleet, is surprised by the Kremlin’s decision, because “the UN grain initiative is important for global food security.”
That is why, according to the head of the British Foreign Ministry, James Cleverley, Russia should allow the export of grain to the starving in the world.
The UN Black Sea Grain Initiative is instrumental to global food security.
Russia should allow grain exports to reach the world’s hungry.
— James Cleverly???????? (@JamesCleverly) October 29, 2022
The administration of US President Joe Biden believes that with such steps, Russia is simply turning food into a weapon.
– Russia is again trying to use the war it started as an excuse to turn food into a weapon, which directly affects countries in need and global food prices, as well as exacerbates the already terrible humanitarian crises and lack of food security, – said the press secretary of the US National Security Council, Adrienne Watson.
At the same time, Lithuania’s official statements are addressed directly to Western countries. In particular, the head of the country’s Foreign Ministry, Gabrielus Landsbergis, believes that in response to Moscow’s blackmail, it is necessary to organize a military escort of vessels with Ukrainian grain.
– Negotiations with Russia are not working. Putin is breaking deals and blackmailing us all. If he continues to threaten grain exports from Ukraine, the free world must unite to protect the shipments with the help of military escorts. Let’s bypass blackmail, the Lithuanian diplomat wrote on Twitter.
Negotiating with Russia doesn’t work. Putin breaks agreements and blackmails all of us.
If he continues to jeopardize Ukraine’s grain exports, the free world must unite to safeguard shipping with military escorts. Let’s bypass the blackmail.
— Gabrielius Landsbergis???????? (@GLandsbergis) October 29, 2022
Photo: Ministry of Infrastructure
