Charles Michel
European Council President Charles Michel said on Friday Russia must stop its blockade of Ukrainian seaports after withdrawing from a pact negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey to safeguard grain imports.
“It is scandalous that Russia, having abandoned the Black Sea grain initiative, is now blocking and attacking Ukrainian ports. This has to stop”, Michel told media in New Delhi, India, ahead of the G20 summit.
Russia withdrew from the grain accord in July, stating that it had failed to meet the purpose of alleviating hunger in Africa.
Since then, tensions in the region have risen, with Russia attacking Ukrainian export centres and Kyiv’s army targeting Moscow’s naval ports and vessels.
Since then, the Kremlin has pushed Turkey to assist Russia in exporting grain to African countries without the involvement of Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday that Moscow is just weeks away from giving six African countries free grain.
“The Kremlin’s offer of one million tonnes of grain to Africa is absolutely cynical”, Michel remarked.
“Grain ships need safe access to the Black Sea”, he said, stressing that the UN programme had initially provided 32 million tonnes to the market, particularly to developing countries.
Ukraine and Russia are important grain and seed oil exporters.
The grain accord reached last year helped to lower global food costs while also providing Ukraine with an important source of income to fight the war.
Russia has increased its attacks on Ukraine’s maritime infrastructure.
“Over 250 million people face acute food insecurity worldwide, and by deliberately attacking Ukraine’s seaports, the Kremlin is depriving them of the food they desperately need”, Michel continued.
Putin is not going or even preparing to give a video presentation at the G20 meeting in India, despite the fact that relations between Moscow and many countries of the bloc are strained due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, will take Putin’s place at the meeting this weekend.
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