Russian strikes on Ukraine ports ‘further blow to global food security’, un.org

Russia’s bombardment of Ukrainian ports along the Black Sea could have far-reaching impacts on global food security, UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo said on Friday in a briefing to the Security Council. 

Ms. DiCarlo strongly condemned the aerial strikes this week on the ports in Odesa, Chornomorsk and Mykolaiv, which destroyed critical infrastructure and killed or injured civilians. The attacks followed Russia’s decision on Monday to effectively end the Black Sea Initiative, the UN-brokered accord that facilitated Ukrainian grain and foodstuffs to be shipped to international markets at a time of spiralling global food prices and rising hunger.

Ms. DiCarlo said these events are but the latest developments in Russia’s ”senseless war against its neighbour”, which has consequences that can be felt around the world.

“Russia’s termination of its participation in the Black Sea Initiative, coupled with its bombardment of crucial ports, will further compound the crisis,” she warned.

By ending the deal, Moscow also withdrew security guarantees for ships navigating in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. Ms. DiCarlo said food prices have been rising around the globe since its collapse, thus adding to the agricultural, energy and financial crises already affecting the world’s most vulnerable people. Läs referat