President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Monday for immediate moves to open Ukrainian ports blockaded by Russia to allow wheat exports and prevent a global food crisis. In a post on the Telegram messaging app after speaking to European Council President Charles Michel, who was visiting the Ukrainian city of Odesa, Zelensky wrote: “It is important to prevent a food crisis in the world caused by Russia’s aggressive actions.”
The shipment is critical as part of a larger effort to deal with global food supply shortages caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as both nations are major providers of wheat, barley, and sunflower oil. Russia is also a large exporter of fertilizers, which are required by farmers to grow their crops.
