DISINFO: The West blames Russia for the food crisis which was caused by sanctions
SUMMARY
The West continues to whip up hysteria around the coming "world hunger", and traditionally blames it, of course, on the Russians.
The West uses the topic of world hunger solely to blame Russia in advance for its problems with food supplies caused by sanctions.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Western sanctions, aiming to shift the blame for growing global food insecurity and food price increases to the West. However, sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with its war of aggression against Ukraine do not entail any restrictions on either Russian food production or food exports.
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.
Russian warships block Black Sea trade routes, which prevents the export of Ukrainian grain.
EU sanctions are directed against the Russian government, the financial sector and the economic elites, targeting 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.
Addressing the UN Security Council, European Council President Charles Michel stated:"Russia is solely responsible for this food crisis, Russia alone. Despite the Kremlin's campaign of lies and disinformation. I have seen it with my own eyes. In Odesa, millions of tons of grain and wheat stuck in containers and ships because of Russian warships in the Black Sea and because of Russia's attack on transport infrastructure. And it is Russian tanks, Russian bombs and mines that are preventing Ukraine from planting and harvesting."
See related disinformation claim alleging that US, Canada, Switzerland to blame for surge in food and energy prices due to illegal sanctions on Russia.
Read also the EUvsDisinfo article covering Russian disinformation related to the food security.
Read more disinformation cases about Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine.
Technical remark: This disinformation case was broadcast via Sputnik on 30 May. Due to the EU decision to restrict the spread and dissemination of RT and Sputnik inside the EU, access to the Sputnik link may not work.