Ukraine: Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on Moscow’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal, saying no one has the right to destroy the food security of any nation and the world has an opportunity to show Russia that it does not allow blackmail.
Mr. Zelenskyy stated that the export of grain from Ukraine’s seaports should continue, with or without Russia’s participation.
The President also observed that Ukraine’s exports have ensured food security for a staggering 400 million individuals. It is imperative that Russia is not permitted to wield this crucial supply as a hostage to its capricious desires.
Ukraine's position has always been and will be as clear as possible – no one has the right to destroy the food security of any nation. If a bunch of people somewhere in the Kremlin think that they supposedly have the right to decide whether food will be on the table in different… pic.twitter.com/87LEvGJyNu
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 17, 2023
“If a bunch of people somewhere in the Kremlin think that they supposedly have the right to decide whether food will be on the table in different countries: Egypt or Sudan, Yemen or Bangladesh, China or India, Türkiye or Indonesia… then the world has an opportunity to show that blackmail is not allowed to anyone,” Mr. Zelenskyy remarked.
“Everyone has a right to stability… Africa has the right to stability. Asia has the right to stability. Europe has every right to stability. And therefore, we must all care about security—about protection from Russian madness. The Black Sea Grain Initiative can and should keep operating—if without Russia, then without Russia,” the Ukrainian leader further added.
Russia’s decision to end its participation in the deal created widespread condemnation and outcry. The deal allowed the export of Ukrainian grain from the country’s Black Sea ports. The agreement played a key role in maintaining the price stability of crucial global commodities like wheat.