Russia is blackmailing the world with the specter of hunger, says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. As with fossil fuels, she says the government in Moscow is deliberately throttling supplies to put pressure on countries.
The Russian army has not only reduced many wheat fields in Ukraine, one of the world’s major grain producers, to ashes, von der Leyen said at the World Economic Forum in Davos. It also “deliberately bombs grain warehouses across the country.” For example, the remaining grain cannot reach hungry North Africa because the Russian navy blocks Ukrainian ports. These “outrageous acts” are causing grain prices to go through the roof.
This is compounded by the fact that Russia is sitting on its own grain to drive prices up or “exchange it for political support. A form of blackmail,” von der Leyen complains.
The European Union is trying to avert the emerging food crisis by helping Ukraine get the harvest out of the country. She is also trying to increase its own grain production, von der Leyen promises. And to help Africa feed itself better. “Global cooperation is the antidote to Russia’s blackmail.”
Also read: The hallucinatory figures about the food catastrophe that threatens
In a speech in Davos, von der Leyen also suggested financing the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war with Russian assets. “We need to get to the bottom of things, including the Russian capabilities we’ve frozen, if possible,” von der Leyen said. The Commission president referred to the European sanctions against Russian individuals and entities.
“This isn’t just about repairing the damage of Putin’s devastating frenzy. It’s also about building the future Ukrainians have chosen for themselves,” von der Leyen said, lunging at Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Ukraine belongs in the European family.”
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.