EU Accuses Russia of Weaponizing Food, Threatening Global Food Security
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the European Union‘s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has blamed Russia for recent attacks on vessels in the Black Sea, alleging that Moscow is intentionally employing food as a tool of war. This assertion was made during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Kallas highlighted a concerning pattern of escalation, reporting six drone attacks attributed to Russia against ships in the Black Sea over the past ten days. She emphasized the critical role of the Black Sea in exporting Ukrainian grain, claiming that Russia has transformed food into an instrument of conflict, thereby jeopardizing worldwide food security. The most vulnerable regions, including Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, are specifically at risk, according to Kallas.
Furthermore, the EU official asserted that Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s export routes since mid-July, and is now targeting border crossings in Moldova, Romania, and Poland. Despite these actions, Kallas noted an increase of two million tons in Ukrainian grain exports via land routes since July.
She underscored the necessity of bolstering security in the Black Sea and along the Danube River. In response, Kallas announced the establishment of a joint Black Sea Maritime Security Center by Romania and Bulgaria, with the support of the European Union. The EU is also collaborating with Turkey, India, and other international partners to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
