The destruction of agricultural machinery and the mining of fields in Ukraine by the russians threatens famine not only for us but also for other countries.
This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a speech in the Irish Parliament.
He said that russian missiles hit again last night, in particular they struck the fuel depot. This is the invaders’ signature style – to destroy everything that provides life. Russians mine fields and destroy agricultural machinery. They also blocked all ports, along with ships loaded with agricultural products for export.
"They see hunger as a weapon... Without our exports, it is not just a shortage, but a threat of hunger for more than a dozen countries in Africa and Asia. There will be a physical shortage of products and prices will rise significantly. it will be even more difficult to feed their families," he said.
Russia is purposefully arranging famine in Ukrainian cities. The worst is in Mariupol, a city of half a million people that has been completely blocked for more than a month. Access is blocked from the ground and from the sea, food and water are not allowed. The townspeople melted the snow to drink, but now there is no snow. The exact number of Mariupol residents killed is unknown. The russians tried to blockade other cities, millions of people. And russia continues to try to destroy them.
The President added that the Russians had killed at least 167 children in Ukraine. And all the victims in Mariupol and other cities where there is fighting and occupation are still unknown. Enemies shell churches, hospitals, ambulances, shelters. Meanwhile, Ukraine still has to convince Europe that russian oil cannot provide russia with a generous flow of money.
To stop russia's military machine, Zelenskyy called on Ireland to persuade its EU partners to toughen sanctions against russia.
"Russia does not deserve normal relations. The russian military came as an army of colonizers, their politicians do not even hide what they want," said the Ukrainian leader.
The President stressed that all trade with russia should be stopped. It is necessary to block the ties of russian banks with the financial system of the world, to cut off the flow of money that the russian budget receives for oil and spends on missiles, bombs and artillery shelling.
"The world has long developed appropriate mechanisms. Everyone knows what needs to be done. The only obstacle is the lack of principle in some leaders. So far. Political leaders, business leaders who still think that war and war crimes are not as scary as financial losses. I believe that Ireland's leadership can change that," he said.
Yesterday Zelenskyy had a speech in the UN. He said that if the United Nations could not eliminate Russia as a source of war, it must eliminate itself. Because not only Ukraine, but the whole world needs peace.