Similar crises, as in Sri Lanka, caused by Russia, may explode in other countries - Zelensky

The crisis in Sri Lanka is due to Russia blocking the export of Ukrainian food products, which may lead to social unrest in other countries.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine stated this in an address to the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, Ukrinform reports.

According to the Ukrainian leader, one of the points of Russian tactics is creating an "economic shock."

"And this concerns not only us. Look at just one example – the events in Sri Lanka. The shocking food and fuel price hikes led to a social explosion. No one knows now how it will end. However, you all know that the same explosions are possible in other countries affected by food and energy crises," Zelensky stressed.

The president emphasized that the cynical Russian blockade of Ukrainian seaports led to the aggravation of these crises because the Russians are hindering critically important supplies of Ukrainian food to the world markets.

Also, in his opinion, the cause of these crises was the "absolutely thought-out Russian game" to increase energy prices.

As reported, a new political crisis broke out in Sri Lanka in 2022 due to the power struggle between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the country's parliament. The situation is aggravated by anti-government protests and demonstrations, which were catalyzed by the food and economic crisis in the country. During mass protests in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, on July 9, more than 100 people were injured.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the war waged by Russia against Ukraine had a significant impact on food security in many regions of the world, and had a potential impact on the worsening of the economic situation and political crisis in Sri Lanka.