Peace formula: Yermak suggests involving WTO in implementing food security clause

On the instructions of President Volodymyr Zelensky, the chief of his Office, Andriy Yermak, held a meeting with the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is visiting Ukraine.

This was reported by the President’s Office press service, Ukrinform saw.

The meeting focused on the protection of free trade, including in the Black Sea region, which has been facing a threat due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The head of the President’s Office emphasized Russia's deliberate destruction of Ukraine's transport and agricultural infrastructure and the blockade of Ukrainian ports, which Russia is using to disrupt the flow of goods, primarily the supply of Ukrainian agricultural products, and to conduct food blackmail.

"Russia's actions pose a direct threat to food security and violate the freedom of trade, particularly in the Black Sea," emphasized Andriy Yermak.

In this context, he said a possibility should be considered of involving the World Trade Organization in the implementation of the second clause of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, entitled "Food Security".

"Your personal authority and the WTO's influence on international trade can play an important role in the implementation of the food security point of the Peace Formula. This is not only about restoring international law and free trade, but also about stabilizing prices on the world market and access to agricultural supplies for the poorest countries, where Ukraine's influence is very significant," the head of the President’s Office noted.

The parties agreed to make efforts to restore full-fledged exports from Ukraine, strengthen global food security, including through the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative, and strengthen the role of the WTO in restoring peace in Ukraine, as well as overcoming poverty and hunger around the world.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solskyi discussed with the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Ukraine's contribution to supporting global food security.

Photo: Ukrainian President’s Office