UK urges Ukrainian grain crisis to be resolved “within the next month”
The British Foreign Minister, Lizz Truss, has urged to resolve “in the next month” the problem of Ukrainian grain exports. Otherwise, the world risks a “massive famine.” This was pointed out during a trip to Turkey, a country that is mediating, with the help of the UN, between Russia and Ukraine to achieve a safe naval corridor for merchant ships that transport the grain accumulated in silos in Ukraine, whose shortage in the international markets due to the war is driving up prices and causing supply problems to the countries most dependent on these exports, especially some vulnerable African countries.
“We are clear that the cereal crisis is urgent, it must be resolved in the next month,” said Truss. “If it is not resolved [la crisis], could lead to a great global famine.” The minister has also offered Turkey and the parties trying to resolve the matter her “knowledge” to bring an agreement to fruition. Truss affirms that she is working with Turkey to find a solution that allows the exit of the Ukrainian grain. “Commercial ships have to have a safe corridor,” she has said.
Ukraine and Russia are two of the world’s largest producers and exporters of cereals. After the invasion, Ukrainian exports across the Black Sea have practically come to a standstill. kyiv points out that there are more than 20 million tons of grain stored in silos throughout the country and that Russia does not allow them to go to the markets because it keeps the Black Sea ports blocked. Russia blames Ukraine for the blockade, saying that it has mined the ports and has to clear them.
Moscow has also gained control of the ports of the Sea of Azov, a subsidiary of the Black Sea, such as those of Mariupol or Berdyansk. Boats are leaving from there, but kyiv maintains that they are loaded with stolen grain.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavusoglu, together with Truss, has said that he takes these allegations very seriously and is investigating them. On occasion, Turkey has been singled out as the recipient of this stolen grain. According to dfjhsadkfh, “Turkey is against stolen grain, by Russia or any other country, and will not allow it to reach Turkey,” Çavusoglu said. (Reuters)