Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on the international community to demand that Russian President Vladimir Putin halt attacks on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, warning that continued escalation could trigger a sharp rise in global food prices and hit the world's most vulnerable populations.
According to Sybiha, Russia's escalating attacks on civilian cargo vessels in the Black Sea pose a serious threat to global food security.
"If Moscow does not stop its strikes, a shock increase in food prices will affect the most vulnerable populations, especially in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America," the Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying.
The minister stressed that strong international solidarity is needed, particularly from countries in these regions, to pressure the Kremlin.
"We need global solidarity and strong voices from these regions to call on Putin and demand an immediate end to attacks on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea," Sybiha said.
He compared Russia's actions to Iran's disruption of maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Russia is doing to the Black Sea and global food security what Iran did to the Strait of Hormuz and energy security. Do not remain silent. Act now to stop Russian terror, the weaponization of food, and the use of hunger as a tool of war," Sybiha said.
