Paris believes that Moscow should “stop its blackmail on global food security”.
The spokeswoman for the French Foreign Ministry condemned the Russian decision to end its participation in the agreement on the export of Ukrainian cereals, saying that Moscow should “stop blackmailing global food security“. “Russia is solely responsible for blocking navigation in this maritime space and imposes an illegal blockade on Ukrainian ports“, adds Paris.
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday July 17 that Kiev was ready to continue its grain exports via the Black Sea despite Moscow’s announcement of the “de facto” end of the agreement on these deliveries. “Even without Russia, everything must be done so that we can use this corridor (for exports) in the Black Sea. We are not afraid“Said Volodymyr Zelensky, according to comments shared by his spokesperson Serguiï Nykyforov on Facebook.
“Vital access” to cereals
The United States reacted through its ambassador to the UN who denounced a “act of crueltyfrom Moscow. “Russia is playing political games, and real people will sufferLinda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters, accusing Russia of “hold humanity hostage“. The head of American diplomacy also described Monday as“inadmissible” the Russian decision not to renew the agreement on the export of Ukrainian cereals as it stands and assured that this decision would lead to an increase in food prices. Moscow’s choice to serve “weaponizing food…will make it harder to get food to places that desperately need it and drive up prices”said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“I deeply regret the decision of the Russian Federation to end the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the northwest Black Sea”also declared Antonio Guterres, the secretary general of the UN. “Hundreds of millions face hunger and consumers face a global cost of living crisis. They will pay the pricehe insisted, considering that the Russian decision “will strike a blow to people in need all over the world.” Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, hasfirmly“condemned the decision”cynicalfrom Moscow.
“I strongly condemn Russia’s cynical decision to end the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite the efforts of the United Nations and Turkey. The EU strives to ensure food security for the world’s vulnerable populations“, she tweeted. London says to itselfvery disappointedby the Russian ad. “Clearly this is very disappointing. But we will continue the discussionssaid a spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. “If Russia does not renew the deal, it will deprive millions of people of vital access to grain.»
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Discuss these questions
Moreover, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan maintains that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin wanted “continue the dealon Ukrainian cereals, despite Moscow’s latest announcements to the contrary. “I think that despite today’s statement, my friend Vladimir Putin wants to continue the humanitarian agreementwhich allows the export of grain from Ukraine to the Black Sea which expires Monday at midnight.
“My Foreign Minister is due to speak by phone (with the Russian Minister) and I will talk to Vladimir Putin as soon as I get back“, Continued Recep Tayyip Erdogan Erdogan who spoke to the press before flying to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. He again announced that he would receive the Russian President “in Augustin Türkiye, adding: “We will have the opportunity to re-discuss all these questions“. “Maybe, until then, to get things moving, we can take action by phone with Vladimir Putin without waiting for August“, hoped the head of the Turkish state.
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This agreement, signed in July 2022 in Istanbul with Russia and Ukraine, under the aegis of the Nations and Turkey, is “de facto finished“, affirmed Monday the Kremlin. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov added, however, that “as soon as the part (of the agreements) concerning Russia is satisfied, Russia will immediately return to the grain agreement“.