DISINFO: Ukrainian grain has nothing to do with the food crisis
SUMMARY
The situation with the Ukrainian grain has nothing to do with the food crisis, but the EU draws a universal catastrophe out of it. Western countries are trying to keep the "grain issue" as a constant irritant.
RESPONSE
Pro-Krmelin disinformation narrative about war in Ukraine and global food security crisis.
Russia's responsibility for the global food crisis comes as a consequence of the unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine: naval blockade of Ukrainian posts, bombardment of transport infrastructure and shelling of farming regions.
Russia’s war in Ukraine presents never-before-seen consequences for global agriculture and food security.
Russian warships are blocking Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, preventing the export of grain, which poses a risk to global food supply chains. Russia's invasion of Ukraine could soon cause a global food crisis that may last for years, the UN has warned. Despite the ironic statement from the Russian side ("universal catastrophe") the World Bank calls it a human catastrophe.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilised global food markets and is driving food prices up due to increased cost of production, transport and freight insurance. Russia has destroyed substantial food stocks, production, as well as processing and transport capacities in Ukraine, and continue to block Black Sea trade routes, which prevent the export of Ukrainian grain.
Moreover, Russia blackmails the world with the threat of a food crisis, Russian officials promise to ensure the passage of vital Ukrainian food exports through the Black Sea in exchange for the end of sanctions against it.
EU sanctions are directed against the Russian government, the financial sector and the economic elites, targeting the Kremlin’s ability to finance the military aggression. The agricultural sector in Russia is not targeted.
The US also exempts transactions for food, agricultural products and medical supplies from sanctions.
Addressing the UN Security Council, European Council President Charles Michel stated: "Russia is solely responsible for this food crisis, Russia alone. Despite the Kremlin's campaign of lies and disinformation. I have seen it with my own eyes. In Odesa, millions of tons of grain and wheat stuck in containers and ships because of Russian warships in the Black Sea and because of Russia's attack on transport infrastructure. And it is Russian tanks, Russian bombs and mines that are preventing Ukraine from planting and harvesting."
For more information on this topic, read the EUvsDisinfo article covering Russian disinformation related to food security.
Read more disinformation cases about Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine.