By KYIV. Nov 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Russia’s attempt to use the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative as a bargaining chip for relieving the sanctions regime established in response to Russia’s aggression and violations of international law is unacceptable, according to the Joint Statement of the second international summit Grain from Ukraine.
As the summit participants, including the presidents of Ukraine, Latvia, Switzerland and Lithuania, emphasized, food security is an increasingly pressing concern for people everywhere, but most of all in developing countries of the Global South.
“It is crucial to ensure safe, nutritious food is available, accessible, and affordable for everyone,” according to the statement, cited by Zelenskyy’s press service.
During the year of operation of the Grain from Ukraine program, 34 countries and international organizations joined it. As part of the initiative, more than 170,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain were delivered to Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen.
However, Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has worsened existing food security challenges worldwide, and exacerbated the global food crisis.
“We strongly believe that threatening global food supplies should not be used as a weapon of war and recall that the starvation of civilians as a tactic of warfare is prohibited. Countries compromising food security should face immediate international repercussions,” the participants said, noting that it is the Ukrainian initiative Grain from Ukraine that can serve as an effective tool to help respond to acute hunger.
“The disruption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which helped mitigate global food security pressures, is a cause for deep concern. Russia’s attempt to use the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative as a bargaining chip for relieving the sanctions regime established in response to Russia’s aggression and violations of international law is unacceptable,” they added.
At the same time, summit participants welcomed Ukraine for proactively establishing alternative routes with its partners, such as the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, including the Danube corridor and the Baltic Sea, to maintain grain exports to the global market, which helps all countries. They welcomed Ukraine’s efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace.
They also commended and encourage continuous joint efforts of the international community to increase pressure on Russia to unburden Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and to prioritize global food security.
The full text of the Joint Statement of the participants of the second international summit Grain from Ukraine can be found on the website of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
