The food crisis caused by the blockade of Ukrainian ports will have an direct impact on the population of Arab countries. The consequences of this impact are unpredictable .
The head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, said this in an appeal to the foreign ministers, members of Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf;
He called on the Arab states to help punish the aggressor and end the war. Ermak emphasised on several key questions.
The first is that international economic sanctions are absolutely necessary. Russia, as a permanent member of the UN General Assembly, blocks all legal rulings despite unanimous international condemnation of its invasion.
"We urge the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf to join the sanctions regime against the Russian Federation and in no way cooperate with Russia or individual members of its power groups in lifting the legitimate restrictions," the Presidential Envoy said.
Second, Ukraine hopes that the Gulf countries will play an active role in resolving the current global food and energy crises, which Russia is using as tools of war and pressure on the international community.
The Head of the President Office proposed a number of initiatives aimed at improving our understanding and developing cooperation in an integrated manner.
The first is the creation of a special Advisory Council under the auspices of the Head of the President’s Office and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for theCouncil for the Arab States of the Gulf
"I would be glad to welcome the Ministers of Foreign Affairs as well as persons with responsibilities similar to mine. This council could become a useful forum for discussing such pressing issues as grain supply and energy security. But not only that. I think it would be useful to use this forum for solution of the issues which concern interests of the Council countries and their allies' - the presidential chief of staff said.
The second is informational exchange. Ukraine wants to be transparent and understandable for the Arab world, and is ready to open offices of the Arab state TV companies in our country.
The third is the presentation of the Red Crescent on the same level as the Red Cross.
The fourth is the participation of sovereign and investment funds in the National Sovereign Fund, which will be launched soon.
Also, Yermak invites leading figures in the security, political and diplomatic sectors of Arab countries to join the advisory group, which will offer proposals on security guarantees for Ukraine.
In addition, Ukraine is seeking advice on its projects in the sectors of agriculture, transport, tourism, defence, and IT technology.
"Today we are asking the Arab states in the Gulf to provide us with financial assistance to reinforce our strength. And we invite you to take part in the post-war rehabilitation of our country. We invite you to join us in large-scale infrastructural, transport and humanitarian projects that will influence the future of the entire continent. We know that the leadership of your countries shows great wisdom and focus on strategic prospects," Andriy Yermak said.
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.