Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This is another Russia's attempt to weaponise food and target global food security.

Last year, the world united to ensure Ukrainian grain exports, which had been blocked by Russian naval blockade of Ukrainian seaports. With the help of UN and Türkiye we managed to launch the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has proven to be a vital lifeline for the world.

Its results are spectacular: almost 33 million metric tons of agricultural products were exported to 45 countries.

Thanks to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, more than half of the global supply by the United Nations World Food Programme has been covered by Ukrainian grain.

Over 400 million people around the world rely on vital Ukrainian grain supplies to ensure their food security, mainly in countries in Asia and Africa.

The immediate outcome of Russia killing the deal now will be that prices will again go up, hurting those most vulnerable groups of people.

We emphasize that since 2022, no sanctions have been imposed on Russian food exports and when Russia claims otherwise, it simply lies.

We urge the international community to join Ukraine’s efforts to save vital grain exports to the world and take a principled stance. Together, we must protect those most vulnerable around the world whom Russia tries to hurt.

Food security is one of the important points of President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula, aimed at restoring just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter and UNGA resolutions. We call on all states and organizations to join the implementation of this specific item of the Formula.

No country in the world has the right to destroy global food security. Russia must stop playing hunger games.