G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting: “Global Crisis” Caused by Russian Attack

Millions of tons of grain are stuck in Ukraine because of the war. Foreign Minister Baerbock warned of a global food crisis – the G7 countries should not let other countries down.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has warned of the global shock waves caused by the war against Ukraine. Russia’s “terrible war of aggression, which violates international law,” is “not just a deep crisis for the whole of Europe, but a global” crisis, she said at the start of the three-day G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Schleswig-Holstein.

Given Ukraine’s importance as a grain exporting nation, the war in the country is having a massive impact on global food security. The goal of Russian President Vladimir Putin is to use his war of aggression against Ukraine to “divide the world community,” said Baerbock. The G7 opposes this.

Solutions for port blockades?

The group of leading industrialized nations assumes their responsibility and will ensure that those 141 states that condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in the United Nations “are not left in the lurch.” Grain, which is urgently needed in the Middle East and Africa in particular, can no longer be delivered because of the Russian war against Ukraine, said Baerbock.

The Foreign Minister stated that 25 million tons of grain are currently blocked in Ukrainian ports. The G7 group wants to ensure that Ukraine can remain a major grain exporter despite the Russian war of aggression. They are discussing together how to break the grain blockade imposed by Russia and how to bring Ukrainian “grain into the world”.

Russia wants to increase grain exports

Ukraine is one of the most important grain suppliers worldwide. In 2021, according to figures from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, it was still the third largest exporter of barley and fifth largest exporter of wheat. Kyiv accuses Russia of looting Ukrainian grain stores and bringing agricultural products into the country or destroying them.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he expects a record wheat harvest this year and wants to increase exports. Russia is one of the largest grain producers in the world with an important role in world nutrition.

Foreign Minister Kuleba as a guest

Germany currently holds the G7 presidency. Other members are the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had canceled his participation in the G7 meeting due to a corona infection that had now been overcome.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and his Moldovan counterpart Nicu Popescu are guests at the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting. The Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, whose country currently holds the G20 Presidency, will also be connected via video.