Russia UN envoy walks out as EU blames Moscow for food crisis

Russia’s UN Ambassador stormed out of the UN Security Council meeting after European Council president Charles Michel blamed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for global food crisis.

New York, June 7: Russia’s UN Ambassador stormed out of a UN Security Council meeting after European Council president Charles Michel blamed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for global food crisis.

On Monday, Michel said, “Mr Ambassador of the Russian Federation, let’s be honest. The Kremlin is using food supplies as a stealth missile against developing countries. The dramatic consequences of Russia’s war are spilling over across the globe. And this is driving up food prices, pushing people into poverty and destabilizing entire regions. Russia is solely responsible for this food crisis, Russia alone.

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Amid Kremlin’s campaign of lies and disinformation, he said, “I have seen it with my own eyes. A few weeks ago in Odesa, millions of tons of grain and wheat stuck in containers and ships because of Russian warships in the Black Sea and because of Russia’s attack on transport infrastructure. And it is Russian tanks, Russian bombs and mines that are preventing Ukraine from planting and harvesting.”

He further said that the Kremlin is also targeting grain storage and stealing grain in Ukraine while shifting the blame on others. “This is cowardly. This is pure and simple propaganda.”
The European Council chief pointed out that the EU has no sanctions on the agricultural sector in Russia. “Zero. And even our sanctions on the Russian transport sector do not go beyond our EU borders.”

As the Russian Ambassador left the room, Michel said, “You may leave the room, maybe it’s easier not to listen to the truth Mr. Ambassador. Our sanctions do not prevent Russian flagged vessels from carrying grain, food or fertilizers to developing countries.

“The EU, on the contrary, is doing all it can to help Ukraine’s agricultural exports. And to support Ukraine’s agricultural sector for the coming season.”

“Global food security is a top priority for the EU. And we will do everything we can to help solve this challenge and to help the developing countries”. He added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Business Upturn staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)