Italy’s foreign minister warns of ‘world war over bread’

“World War about bread is forming and we must stop it,” – RT quoted the Italian diplomat.

Minister Di Maio called on the parties to “talk together” and reach a peace agreement as soon as possible, including a specific agreement on wheat.

The world must not forget, he noted, 30 million tons of grain blocked at Ukrainian ports. “What we are doing is working to make sure that Russia lifts the ban on grain exports in Ukrainian ports, because at this point we run the risk of starting new wars in Africa.” he said.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi previously suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin allows grain exports from both Russia and the regions of Ukraine under Russian control.

On June 3, Putin said on Russian television that grain shipments could be transferred to Belarus.

“If someone wants to solve the problem of Ukraine’s grain exports, the easiest way is through Belarus. No one prevents that. But to do this, sanctions on Belarus must be lifted,” Putin said.

Last week, Italy said it would help exploit facilities to create sea corridors for transporting wheat, in addition to the existing humanitarian sea corridor opened by Moscow to the southwest of Ukraine’s territorial waters last month.

Meanwhile, Ukraine transported grain through the Romanian port of Constanta and overland to Europe. However, this is a much less efficient route because it is not possible to transport many grains at once.

When European countries can pay more to buy grain, less grain will reach North Africa. African leaders have called on Europe to lift sanctions on Russia because it makes it difficult for them to buy food through the SWIFT payment system.

Minister Di Maio has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to sign a truce that would allow Italy to evacuate civilians from eastern Ukraine, but it is unclear if this will open up an additional humanitarian corridor beyond existing humanitarian corridors. established by Russia and the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.

He revealed that Italy will meet with Germany and other Mediterranean countries on June 6 to liberate wheat in Ukraine.

Ukraine produces 15% of the corn and half of the sunflower oil on the world export market and almost 10% of the world’s wheat exports. Thus, Ukraine becomes a key link in the global food chain.