The United States is not considering easing anti-Russian stocks in exchange for grain exports from Ukraine, according to White House Spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre’s statement at a briefing.
Jean-Pierre, when asked by a journalist whether it was a question of lifting the sanctions, said: "No, it is not. We want to be very, very clear here, because this is very important: This is Russia who is actively blocking the export of food from Ukrainian ports and is increasing world hunger. This is on them. Russia should immediately cease its war on Ukraine, which is devastating global food security, and allow the free flow of Ukrainian food."
Jean-Pierre noted that before the war, Ukraine was the world's largest exporter of sunflower oil, the fourth largest exporter of corn and one of the largest exporters of wheat. At present, tons of products lie in silos in Ukraine and on ships that cannot sail due to russia's naval blockade.
"So — and to be clear about something that has been the subject of russian disinformation: Sanctions from the United States and its allies and its partners are not preventing the export of Ukrainian or russian agriculture, including food and fertilizer. Therefore russia should immediately allow Ukrainian agricultural exports," said a White House spokeswoman.
Earlier the Pentagon speaker John Kirby declared that the USA doesn't plan to involve military for grain export from Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said that almost 90 ships are actually full of grain and ready to leave, but cannot do so due to the russian blockade of the Black and Azov Seas. Near Ukrainian ports, 20 million tons of grain are ready for shipment.