Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his strong opposition to Russia’s withdrawal from a grain deal in the Black Sea region, emphasizing the importance of food security for nations around the world. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s grain exports contribute to the food security of 400 million people and should not be held hostage to Russia’s whims.
In a televised address, Zelenskyy condemned the notion that a few people in the Kremlin could decide whether food reaches the tables of countries like Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh, China, India, Turkey, or Indonesia. He called on the international community to demonstrate that blackmail would not be tolerated. Zelenskyy stressed the right to stability for all regions, including Africa, Asia, and Europe, and called for protection against what he referred to as “Russian madness.”
Zelenskyy emphasized that the Black Sea Grain Initiative, originally brokered by the United Nations and Turkey with Russia’s participation, should continue with or without Russia’s involvement. He suggested that Ukraine, the UN, and Turkey could jointly oversee the operation of the food corridor and vessel inspections. Zelenskyy called for careful implementation of the initiative and decisive pressure on Russia.
Russia’s decision to end its participation in the grain deal drew widespread condemnation. The agreement, which had been in effect for a year, played a crucial role in ensuring the stability of global commodities such as wheat. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep disappointment that his proposals to save the agreement were ignored by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Guterres underscored the importance of the deal for global food security and the well-being of millions of people facing hunger.
In response to Russia’s complaints about obstacles to its own exports, Western countries argued that their sanctions do not target Russian grain and fertilizers. The United States affirmed its commitment to working with other nations to facilitate the movement of grain from Ukraine. However, it clarified that military assets would not be employed to protect grain shipments.
While there have been suggestions to continue the deal without Russia’s participation, some UN officials expressed doubt due to concerns about potential Russian attacks on vessels. Shipping and insurance companies may be unwilling to risk involvement without adequate protection.
I spoke with @UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres. The topic is obvious – this is another Russian attempt to weaponize hunger and destabilize the global food market. The terrorist state has endangered the lives of 400 million people in various countries that depend on Ukrainian…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 17, 2023
In conclusion, President Zelenskyy has firmly opposed Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal, highlighting the significance of food security globally. He called for continued cooperation among Ukraine, the UN, and Turkey to ensure the operation of the initiative. The international community expressed disappointment over Russia’s decision and emphasized the importance of the agreement for stabilizing global food prices. While alternative proposals have been discussed, concerns remain about the safety of vessels without Russian involvement.
