The Russian blockade in the Black Sea means that precious Ukrainian wheat lies in silos and does not get out of Ukraine.
As one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters, it creates problems. The UN has warned of a potential famine crisis in the world, affecting the poorest countries in the world, unless the Ukrainian ports are opened.
“It is absolutely horrible that Putin is trying to hold the world hostage, and he is making hunger and food shortages among the poorest people around the world a weapon,” said British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, according to Reuters.
NATO is preparing for a major war
Blame on the West
“You can not find a better example of blackmail in international relations,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba during the World Economic Forum in Davos. Reuters.
Several have argued that Putin is using a famine crisis as a cynical tool to persuade the West to soften sanctions on Russia.
The Russians on their debt to the West.
– We will strongly reject these accusations. On the contrary, it is the West that is to blame for taking action that has led to this, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press conference on Thursday, according to Reuters.
sea view
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– Difficult situation
Former head of the Norwegian defense staff, Arne Bård Dalhaug, on the other hand, believes that at best it is a double-edged sword for Putin, and not a ruthless bargaining chip.
– Putin also knows that this is not popular in many countries. This has the potential for support for Russia to fall even more around the world, he says.
Fight for «key city»: – Decisive
Dalhaug says he has seen several Russian sources who show dissatisfaction with what is happening now, and points out that Russia is currently far from being able to take the land towards Odessa, where the ports are located.
– It is a difficult situation for Russia to know what to do. Putin himself probably understands that he can not threaten this without consequences, Dalhaug believes.
sea view
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– There are plans
Ukraine’s former defense minister Andrei Zagorodnjuk asked the West and NATO for help last week to break the blockade, and ensure a safe journey for cargo ships in and out of Ukraine.
– There are clearly plans to do so. Then it will be exciting to see if anyone actually breaks the blockade around the ports of Odessa, and if a corridor is established, Dalhaug concludes.
– Will show them within six seconds
– It has proved difficult to find a solution within NATO for this initiative, a coalition can be formed to do this, Zagorodnjuk has suggested.
The head of the UN food program, David Beasley, was recently out with a prayer to Putin.
“If you have a heart for the rest of the world, then you open these ports, regardless of how you feel about Ukraine,” Beasley said. CNN in a prayer to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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