DISINFO: The actions of Western countries led to the blockade of grain supplies
SUMMARY
Western accusations of Russia blocking grain supplies from Ukraine are baseless. The actions of Western countries led to the blockade. Western countries should cancel illegal decisions preventing the export of grain from the territory of Ukraine.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets denying Russia's responsibility for the global food crisis, blaming Western sanctions, imposed on Russia in connection with its war of aggression against Ukraine,
Russia’s war in Ukraine—a war between two agricultural production powerhouses, in the context of globalised agricultural markets—presents never-before-seen consequences for global agriculture and food security.
Russian warships are blocking Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, preventing the export of grain, which poses a risk to global food supply chains. Russia's invasion of Ukraine could soon cause a global food crisis that may last for years, the UN has warned. The World Bank calls it a human catastrophe.
According to the UN's World Food Programme (UNWFP):
The crisis is another fallout from the war, which began on 24 February.
The UNWFP also said, that ports in the Odesa area of southern Ukraine must be re-opened urgently to prevent the global hunger crisis from spinning out of control.
Ukraine is one of the world’s top agricultural producers and exporters. Before the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022, most of the food produced by Ukraine – enough to feed 400 million people – was exported through the country’s seven Black Sea ports, according to an estimate from the World Food Programme.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilised global food markets and is driving food prices up due to increased cost of production, transport and freight insurance. Russia has destroyed substantial food stocks, production, as well as processing and transport capacities in Ukraine, and continue to block Black Sea trade routes, which prevent the export of Ukrainian grain.
More, Russia blackmails the world with the threat of a food crisis, Russian officials promise to ensure the passage of vital Ukrainian food exports through the Black Sea in exchange for the end of sanctions against it.
EU sanctions are directed against the Russian government, the financial sector and the economic elites, targeting the Kremlin’s ability to finance the military aggression. The agricultural sector in Russia is not targeted.
The US also exempts transactions for food, agricultural products and medical supplies from sanctions.
The EU is a leading humanitarian and development donor in food security and is spearheading international efforts with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
In December 2021, the EU has pledged €2.5 billion for 2021-2024 to reduce all forms of malnutrition at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Tokyo.
For more information on this topic, read the EUvsDisinfo article covering Russian disinformation related to food security.
Read more about disinformation and the food crisis see here and further disinformation cases about Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine.