Unblocking grain exports: Kuleba urges African countries to put pressure on Russia

“Time is running out for us, but also for you.  And we want to resolve the problem within the next few weeks.  Blocking Ukraine’s food exports longer would undermine the ability of our farmers to proceed with the new harvest and elevate the risk of interrupting Ukraine’s agricultural cycle for another year.  This can put the world at risk of a multi-year food crisis,” Kuleba told The Citizen Tanzanian media outlet in an interview.

Many African countries, he added, already cooperate with Ukraine to achieve a solution to the matter of food exports.

According to the minister, the positions of African capitals influence Russia’s position.

“Ukraine will continue working closely with all African nations in the coming days and weeks to ensure that all our contracted goods reach your markets, and to overcome the global food crisis provoked by Russia’s irresponsible actions,” Kuleba added.

On February 24, the Russian Federation launched an unprovoked war against Ukraine, massively shelling and bombing Ukrainian cities and villages, and unleashing terror against the civilian population in the temporarily occupied territories.

As a result of hostilities and the blockade of Ukrainian seaports, more than 20 million tonnes of grain destined for export under the UN World Food Programme got stuck in Ukraine.

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