EU warns of “big food crisis”

The High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy of the European Union (EU), Josep Borrell, stated that following Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement, Russia bombed Ukrainian ports and burned large quantities of grain, and that the latest developments “will lead to a major food crisis.”

Speaking to reporters ahead of the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Borrell said the situation in Ukraine is high on the agenda.

Stating that the Russian military has shelled infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odessa port for the past few days, while 60,000 tons of grain have been burned, Borrell said: “Russia did not simply withdraw from the grain deal. They are also burning the grain,” he said.

Describing what Russia is doing as “barbaric”, Borrell said: “This will cause a huge food crisis in the world.”

20 BILLION EUROS SUPPORT TO UKRAINE

Noting that Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba will also connect to the meeting via video conference, Borrell stated that they will discuss how to support Ukraine in the long term.

Borrell has stated that the European Peace Fund, which is used for military support to Ukraine, should be increased “by a very serious amount”, that he has drawn up a plan for this and that he hopes that the ministers will approve it.

Borrell, who did not specify a number in the proposal he prepared and said he must first get the approval of ministers, said “Ukraine needs long-term, continuous structural support, not month-to-month.”

In the international press, it was claimed that the EU is preparing to provide 20 billion euros of additional funds to Ukraine for long-term military support. (AA)