Blinken warns that the suspension of the grain deal will push prices up again

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged Russia to renew an agreement to ease Ukrainian grain exports to the Black Sea, which Moscow suspended this Monday to avoid further price increases.

“We are already seeing a market reaction and rising prices. This is unthinkable. The agreement must be restored as soon as possible,” – said the Secretary of State at a press conference.

The head of American diplomacy noted that about 32 million tons of food were able to leave Ukraine during the period of the grain agreement, starting from August last year.

Blinken accused Moscow of using hunger as a weapon and said he was convinced that all countries were aware that “Russia is responsible for killing hungry people all over the world.”

“This has implications far beyond Ukraine and Russia. It affects countries around the world and millions of people who depend on this grain. Therefore, we certainly call on Russia to intervene in good faith and allow the free passage of ships.” Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Spokesperson, said at a regular press conference.

According to White House homeland security spokesman John Kirby, Russia’s decision is “irresponsible and dangerous” affecting millions of vulnerable people around the world. “We call on Russia to withdraw it immediately,” he insisted.

Kirby noted that states will continue to work with their allies to try and get grain out of Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also condemned Russia’s decision on Twitter on Monday, despite the efforts of Turkey and the UN.

The Norwegian politician added that “Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine continues to harm millions of vulnerable people around the world,” adding his criticism to other voices of condemnation from Kiev’s main allies such as the European Commission, France, Britain and Germany.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “even without Russia, everything must be done to use this corridor” in the Black Sea.

“We are not afraid,” he said in a comment posted on Facebook by his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov.

The suspension also prompted comments from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned that hundreds of millions of people would pay for Russia’s decision to tear up the agreement.

The Turkish President, in turn, said that, in his opinion, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “wants to keep” the agreement.

“We will take steps in this direction with a call to Putin, without waiting for August,” he said.

Through the mediation of the United Nations and Ankara, Moscow and Kyiv agreed a year ago on a series of measures to ensure ships carrying Ukrainian grain reach the international market from Black Sea posts in the midst of a Russian-instigated war. invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, dealing with two of the largest exporters in the world.

Earlier this month, Russia said Moscow saw no reason to extend the deal and decided to suspend it on the grounds that the sanctions it covers over its aggression against Ukraine prevent the part of the pact that should also guarantee exports from being implemented. Russian food and fertilizer.

There will be a virtual meeting of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine on Tuesday, but according to Singh, this meeting will focus on the Ukrainian counteroffensive and Kyiv’s needs on the battlefield.