By pulling out of a grain deal with Ukraine, Russia is threatening the food security of countries around the world, said US sanctions coordinator James O’Brien. “The goal is to reduce the availability of food and fertilizer so that prices rise and Russia gets attention for some of its demands.”

O’Brien, who is affiliated with the US Department of State, warned in a special press conference about the global consequences of Russia’s blockade of the agreement. “Ukraine is responsible for almost half of the food supply of the world’s poorest countries. This came to a halt when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.” By withdrawing from the grain deal, the situation worsened. O’Brien said.

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At a peace summit in Jeddah last weekend, a wheat deal was also discussed, in part because many countries currently short of wheat supplies from Ukraine were present at the meeting. According to the American envoy, it is very important that sanctions against Russia be continued, and even expanded. “We must continue to isolate Russia.” He saw the fact that countries belonging to the Global South recently spoke with Russian President Putin as a positive sign of solidarity.

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Türkiye, UN

The question is how the deal can still be done. In this case, O’Brien looks primarily to Turkey and the UN, the other two parties involved in the grain deal. “Each of them has stated clearly that they are willing to cooperate with Russia.” Putin is expected to speak with Turkish leader Erdogan this week. “However, Russia must explain how it plans to provide more food, and to whom,” he stressed.

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Even so, he hopes that food supplies can return smoothly. However, that will take time, he explained. “We cannot allow Russia to control the Black Sea. Russia has been trying to do that for a long time, and now they’re trying again. In this case they will not succeed.’