Russia's Blockade of Ukrainian Grain: A War Crime Condemned by the EU

Strategic Insights -

European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned Russia's blockade of Ukraine's grain exports as a war crime, amid a global food crisis that has left millions of tonnes of grain trapped in Ukrainian silos. Ukraine is a top wheat supplier globally, but its shipments have stalled since Russia invaded the country in February. The EU is urging Russia to open up the Black Sea routes to free up Ukrainian grain, while Germany and other countries are working to enable grain transport via land routes to release part of the crop.

Key Takeaways:

  • Russia's blockade of Ukrainian grain exports is a war crime, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
  • Over 20 million tonnes of grain are trapped in Ukrainian silos since Russia invaded the country in February.
  • Ukraine is one of the top wheat suppliers globally, with a record 84 million tonnes of grain harvested in clean weight in 2021.
  • Germany and other countries are working to enable grain transport via land routes to release part of the crop.
  • The EU supports efforts by the United Nations to broker a deal to resume Ukraine's sea exports in return for facilitating Russian food and fertilizer exports.
  • Russia denies responsibility for the food crisis, blaming Western sanctions imposed on Moscow.
  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine must de-mine the approaches to its Black Sea ports to resolve issues with grain shipments.

Statistics:

  • Over 20 million tonnes of grain are trapped in Ukrainian silos.
  • Ukraine harvested a record 84 million tonnes of grain in clean weight in 2021.
  • Ukraine's grain harvest in 2022 is expected to be lower due to the Russian invasion, with 14.2 million hectares of spring grains sown, down from 16.9 million hectares in 2021.
  • The EU is supporting efforts to broker a deal for Ukraine to export at least 1 million tonnes of grain per month to release part of the crop.

Sources:

  • Cyprus Mail (2022)
  • EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell
  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
  • German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock
  • Ukraine's agriculture ministry
  • United Nations