Russia’s war in Ukraine could lead up to 49 million people to starvation or starvation conditions due to its devastating impact on global supply and food prices.
The Council of Ministers on Monday adopted conclusions on Team Europe’s response to the global food insecurity, noting that the unprovoked and unjustified Aggressive war in Russia against Ukraine has catastrophic consequences for the Ukrainian people, but also for people around the world.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell calls Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian grain exports “A real war crime”, clarifying that the bloc’s sanctions in Russia play no role in the global food crisis. Borel said “it is not European sanctions” that “create this crisis”.
Russia’s war in Ukraine could lead up to 49 million people in famine or famine conditions due to its devastating impact on global supply and food prices, according to the United Nations.
In its conclusions, the Council expresses its deep concern, noting that vulnerable populations face unprecedented levels of food insecurity. Russia’s unjustified, unprovoked and illegal offensive war against Ukraine has deteriorated dramatically the food security crisis. Russian troops bomb and occupy Ukrainian arable land, destroying farms, food storage and processing facilities, equipment and transport infrastructure. They block the ports of Ukraine, preventing the export of millions of tonnes of grain in world markets.
The EU and its Member States stand in solidarity with the hardest hit partner countries and will strengthen their support as responsive, responsible and credible global actors.
In this spirit, the Council calls on Team Europe to respond to the global food insecurity, which includes four lines of action:
* solidarity through emergency relief and support for affordable prices
* enhancing sustainable production, resilience and transformation of the food system
* trade facilitation, helping Ukraine to export agricultural products through different routes and supporting world trade
* effective multilateralism and strong support for the central role of the UN Global Crisis Response Team in coordinating global efforts
There are no EU sanctions on Russian exports food on world markets underlines the Council.
EU sanctions do not prohibit the import and transport of Russian agricultural goods, payment for such Russian exports, or the supply of seeds from third countries – they only target individuals and entities that have been sanctioned. The sanctions are specifically designed not to target food and agricultural products and, where appropriate, sectoral bans include specific exceptions for these products. EU sanctions do not apply to third countries or to non-EU companies in third countries.
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