Russia using hunger as weapon of war: Germany

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has accused Russia of blocking grain exports from Ukraine, therefore, using hunger and deprivation as a weapon of war.
“Russia is leading this war with another terrible and forceful weapon – hunger and deprivation. By blocking Ukrainian ports and destroying silos, streets, and railroads, Russia has launched a grain war, stoking a global food crisis,” Baerbock said at a foreign ministers’ meeting at the United Nations (UN) in New York. “It is doing so at a time when millions are already being threatened by hunger, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. They are threatened due to the devastating effects of the climate crisis, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, due to conflicts raging in their own regions.”
According to the German government, Russia is blocking the export of 20 million tonnes of grain from Ukraine, primarily to North Africa and Asia.
Much of it is being blocked at Odessa port.
Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest producers of grain.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of bringing Ukrainian grain as well as food and fertiliser produced by Russia and Belarus into world markets.
Ukraine and Russia together produce almost one-third of the world’s wheat and barley and half of its sunflower oil, he said.
He added that the war in Ukraine could tip millions of people into food insecurity and cause “a crisis that could last for years.”
According to the UN, global hunger levels are at a new high.
“In just two years, the number of severely food insecure people has doubled, from 135 million pre-pandemic to 276 million today,” Mr Guterres said.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Hot news Home top
I won’t betray Nigerians’ trust; my reforms will deliver better future: Tinubu
Mr Tinubu insisted that the ongoing reforms would eventually deliver lasting national prosperity.

Economy
Stock market transacts 1.66 billion shares, gains N962 billion
The uptrend was driven by broad-based buying interest across banking, consumer goods, industrial, insurance and telecommunications stocks.

Kano
Kano govt inaugurates 2025/2026 annual school census
The commissioner presented sample census questionnaires and other data collection materials to key education agencies.

Sport
Mbappé effigy burning in Paraguay fuels fans’ racism accusations
The decision to burn an effigy of Mbappe did not sit well with many on social media, and they are claiming racism as the motive behind it.

States
Soldier killed as ISWAP terrorists attack Borno military base
The army described the July 7 attack on the base as a coordinated assault that was successfully repelled by troops.

Diaspora
Nigeria suspends O15 third-party visa services for U.S.-based applicants
The service, which did not disclose reasons for the suspension, clarified that its e-visa system remained active for prospective travellers.





