The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the world community to help Ukraine unblock seaports, otherwise the energy crisis will be followed by a food crisis and many more countries will face it.
He made this statement to the media after talks with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa in Kyiv.
"Russia has blocked almost all ports and all, so to speak, maritime opportunities to export food - our grain, barley, sunflower and more. A lot of things," Zelenskyy said.
He stressed that the russian Federation has blocked 22 million tons of food. The aggressor country is gradually stealing it, exporting it and trying to sell it.
"There will be a crisis in the world. The second crisis after the energy one, which was provoked by russia. Now it will create a food crisis if we do not unblock the routes for Ukraine, do not help the countries of Africa, Europe, Asia, which need these food products. You can unblock them in different ways. One of the ways is a military solution. That is why we turn to our partners with inquiries regarding the relevant weapons,” Zelenskyy added.
russian blockade hinders food exports from Ukraine. This, in turn, threatens millions of people around the world with malnutrition and hunger.
russia has said it wants the lifting of sanctions in exchange for unblocking Ukrainian ports. However, the Office of the President of Ukraine stated that this is blackmail.