UN warns of prolonged food crisis, Russia blames the West

Ukrainian farmers prepare fertilizer for wheat fields on the outskirts of Kharkov – Photo: REUTERS

“Global food security has been undermined over the past few years by unwise Western microeconomic measures in general, fueled by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In other words, the problem. appeared before Russia began its special military operation in Ukraine,” Tass news agency quoted Russian ambassador Anatoly Antonov as saying on May 19.

According to Antonov, the crisis exacerbated recently by “unilateral and illegal” sanctions against Russia has disrupted supply chains and disrupted global financial flows.

Earlier, on May 18, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the food crisis caused by the war in Ukraine could last for years if no response is taken.

Speaking at the United Nations meeting on global food security, Mr. Guterres said that the shortage of grain, fertilizer due to war plus global warming, supply problems caused by The COVID-19 pandemic could “push tens of millions of people to the brink of food insecurity”.

The result is a crisis of undernutrition, mass starvation and famine that could last for years, Guterres warned.

Secretary-General Guterres said the United Nations is in discussions with parties such as Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, the United States and the European Union to find a solution.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict and economic sanctions targeting Moscow have disrupted the supply of fertilizers, wheat and other commodities from these two countries over the past time, contributing to a push up in food and fuel prices across the world. global escalation.

Russia and Ukraine produce 30% of the world’s wheat. Russia is the world’s leading supplier of fertilizers and gas.