Millions of people may starve if Russia’s blockade of Black Sea ports continues – Zelensky

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his speech during the TIME100 Gala, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“It is the Russian fleet – not the British one or any other – that has blocked Ukraine’s Black Sea ports so that the world is on the brink of a terrible food crisis. And it’s not simply a price crisis. We cannot export our wheat, corn, vegetable oil and other products that have played a stabilizing role in the global market. This means that, unfortunately, dozens of countries may face a physical shortage of food. Millions of people may starve if Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea continues,” Zelensky told.

The President of Ukraine is constantly talking to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other leaders on how to lift the Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports and restore the freedom of navigation, which is one of the basic freedoms for all humankind.

“But, while we are looking for ways to protect freedom, another person is destroying it. Another person continues to blackmail the world with hunger. He is another in every sense of the word. Particularly, in the way this person is fighting for influence. And I have a question: why is this ‘otherness’ still acceptable to certain leaders and countries?” Zelensky added.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russia unleashed an unprovoked full-scale war against Ukraine. As a result of the Russian armed aggression, more than 20 million tonnes of grain intended for exports is now blocked at Ukrainian sea ports.