Russia is “weaponizing food” and “harming the most vulnerable”, said the President of the Council of the European Union (EU), Charles Michel, this Friday (8).
“Russia must allow ships with much-needed grain to sail in the Black Sea. The EU is providing alternative export routes through our Solidarity Routes,” said Michel in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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His comments were made at a press conference held in the Indian capital, New Delhi, this Friday, ahead of the G20 meeting that will take place this weekend.
Michel described Russia’s closing of the Black Sea Grains Initiative in July as “scandalous”.
“More than 250 million people face acute food insecurity around the world, and by deliberately attacking Ukraine’s ports, the Kremlin is depriving them of the food they desperately need,” he said.
“It is frankly scandalous that Russia, having ended the Black Sea Grain Initiative, is blockading and attacking Ukrainian seaports. This has to stop,” she added.
Michel also called the Kremlin’s offer to deliver 1 million metric tons of grain to Africa “absolutely cynical” compared to the 32 million metric tons of grain delivered to international markets led by the United Nations.
He added that the EU is stepping up efforts to provide alternative export routes and has already delivered 41 million metric tons of cereals.
Source: CNN Brasil
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