The European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, has said Russia’s obstruction of millions of tonnes of Ukrainian grain is a “real war crime”.

Mr. Borrell intimated that “It is inconceivable, one cannot imagine that millions of tonnes of wheat remain blocked in Ukraine while in the rest of the world people are suffering hunger”, adding that “We call on Russia to deblockade the [Ukrainian] ports”.

As it is, EU Foreign Ministers are meeting to discuss the crisis. Western countries on the other hand have demanded Russia stop blockading Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and allow vast stores of grain to reach world markets. Due to the blockade, it has sparked warnings that tens of millions of people are at risk of famine and will also send food prices soaring.

Prior to the EU Foreign Ministers Meeting

Ahead of the meeting in Luxembourg, Mr. Borrell disclosed that “This is a real war crime, so I cannot imagine that this will last much longer”.

He said Russia should be held “accountable” if it keeps blocking the export of vitally needed grain from Ukraine. The 27-nation bloc also disputed allegations made by Russia on claims that the rising prices and food shortages in the Middle East and Africa are all as a result of the EU sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine.

“I want to insist that it’s not European sanctions that are creating this crisis, our sanctions don’t target food, don’t target fertilisers. The problem comes from the Russian blockade of Ukrainian grains.“
European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell

French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna said that “Russia must stop playing with global hunger” as it seeks to leverage on the West, pointing out that “Leaving cereals blocked is dangerous for stability in the world“. The Head of the Polish Prime Minister’s office, Michal Dworczyk, is due to speak with the Ukrainian infrastructure Minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov, about changes that will speed up checks for trucks on the Polish-Ukrainian border to help export more grain from Ukraine.

In Other Developments:

Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned that Russia will intensify its attacks on his country in the coming days, as Kyiv awaits news on its bid to join the European Union. Members of the bloc are expected to decide whether to award “candidate status” to Kyiv later this week. The move would begin the process of Ukraine’s accession to the alliance, which could take years to complete. But Mr. Zelenskyy warned that the decision could see Russia intensify its attacks.

Speaking during a late-night address from Kyiv on Sunday, June 19, 2022, the Ukrainian leader said he and his advisors expect “greater hostile activity” from Moscow, but told citizens that his forces “are preparing” and are ready for any renewed assault.

Elsewhere in Britain, the UK’s Ministry of Defence said Russia’s troops in Ukraine are becoming exhausted, saying the air force “failed” to provide adequate support.

At the moment, Russia has become China’s biggest supplier of oil as the country sold discounted crude to Beijing. Imports of Russian oil rose by 55% from a year earlier (2021) to a record level in May (2022), displacing Saudi Arabia as China’s biggest provider. China has ramped-up purchases of Russian oil despite demand dampened by Covid curbs and a slowing economy.

Also, Russian Journalist, Dmitry Muratov, said he plans to auction off his Nobel Peace Prize medal to raise funds to help children displaced by the war in Ukraine.