Russian President Vladimir Putin has intensified attacks on the port city of Odesa in Ukraine, jeopardizing worldwide food prices and targeting Ukraine’s grain exports. The strikes on Odesa come as Russia withdraws from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a yearlong deal that aimed to keep Ukrainian grain flowing to the world. Russia claims that obstacles to its own food exports prompted its withdrawal from the agreement. The attacks on Odesa’s port, a vital piece of infrastructure for grain exports, coincide with Russia’s anger over damage to a key bridge connecting Crimea to mainland Russia. Ukraine has taken credit for the bridge damage, further exacerbating tensions surrounding the grain deal. The United States has announced an additional $250 million to support Ukraine’s agriculture sector, which plays a crucial role in the global wheat market.
According to CNN’s senior national security correspondent, Alex Marquardt, the attacks on Odesa this week were unlike anything the city has experienced since the start of the war. The strikes have caused significant damage to the port, confirming Ukraine’s claim that they are linked to the grain deal. Marquardt interviewed Samantha Power, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development, who expressed concern over Putin’s willingness to endanger the world’s hungry population during a global food crisis. Power believes that pressure from the US, the United Nations, and sub-Saharan African countries affected by higher grain and oil prices will be necessary to compel Russia to rejoin the grain deal. She also anticipates that Russia will continue targeting infrastructure as it faces military setbacks.
The collapse of the grain deal has already had a significant impact on wheat and corn prices in global commodities markets. The economic shocks caused by the Ukraine war and the pandemic last year resulted in “acute food insecurity” in 27 countries, affecting nearly 84 million people. The International Rescue Committee warned that the collapse of the grain deal would have the most severe consequences for those on the brink of starvation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed concern that the breakdown of the deal would lead to a crisis of food availability if farmers worldwide couldn’t access the fertilizers needed for planting season.
Without a new grain deal, Ukrainian grain would need to be shipped to ports in Romania or southeastern Europe via railroads, which would be both time-consuming and costly. China, a major importer of Ukrainian grain, could potentially use its influence to persuade Russia to reenter the deal. However, it remains unclear if China is particularly concerned about its own food security needs following droughts that have affected its domestic production.
The withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative has raised concerns about Russia’s intentions in the Black Sea region. The National Security Council warns that Russia may target civilian ships in the Black Sea and blame Ukraine for the attacks. Russia has laid additional sea mines near Ukrainian ports, and the Defense Ministry has stated that any ship sailing toward a Ukrainian port will be considered potentially carrying military cargo. These developments suggest a coordinated effort to justify attacks on civilian ships.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-07-20 02:04:00
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