Russia putting world in danger of famine, warns EU

A Russian soldier guards a pier with the grain storage in the background at an area of the Mariupol Sea Port which has recently started its work after heavy fighting in Mariupol, on June 12. (AP)
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  • "We are ready to work with the UN and our partners to prevent any unwanted impact on global food security," Borrell said
  • Russia turned the Black Sea into a war zone, blocking shipments of grain and fertiliser from Ukraine

BRUSSELS: Russia is putting the world at risk of famine through its blockade of Ukraine鈥檚 shipments of grains and restrictions on its own exports, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Saturday.
The threat to food security and a 鈥渂attle of narrative鈥� with Russia on Western-imposed sanctions on Moscow over Ukraine will dominate European Union foreign ministers鈥� talks in Luxembourg on Monday.
鈥淲e are ready to work with the UN and our partners to prevent any unwanted impact on global food security,鈥� Borrell said in an article published on his official blog.
鈥淩ussia鈥檚 conscious political choice is to 鈥榳eaponize鈥欌€� grain exports and 鈥渦se them as a tool for blackmail against anyone that opposes its aggression鈥� in Ukraine, Borrell said.
鈥淩ussia turned the Black Sea into a war zone, blocking shipments of grain and fertilizer from Ukraine but also affecting Russian merchant shipping. Russia is also applying quotas and taxes on its grain exports,鈥� he added.
The sanctions imposed by the EU 鈥渄o not prohibit Russia to export any agricultural goods, payment for such Russian exports or the provision of seeds, provided that sanctioned individuals or entities are not involved.鈥�
鈥淲e are fully aware that there is a 鈥榖attle of narratives鈥� around this issue鈥� of sanctions, Borrell continued.
He added that it was imperative that Ukrainian exports be allowed to resume by ship.
鈥淲e are working closely with the UN on this issue and the EU and its member states are ready to do their part of the necessary actions to achieve this.
鈥淲e hope that a solution can be found in the coming days. Not doing this threatens to cause a global food catastrophe,鈥� he warned.