Blinken denies US sanctions on Russia escalated food crisis amid war in Ukraine

US State Secretary Antony Blinken on Wednesday stated that sanctions imposed on Russia by US, its allies, and partners have not contributed to global food crisis arising from war in Ukraine. Speaking at United Nations ministerial meeting, Blinken noted that when Washington and its allies imposed sanctions on Russia, re were "deliberately" created loops for agricultural products an chain.

"Some have tried to blame sanctions imposed on Russian Federation by US and many or countries for worsening this crisis. This is false... We deliberately and carefully created exceptions for agricultural goods and fertilisers," US State Secretary Antony Blinken said.

"We are working every day to get countries any information or assistance y need to ensure that sanctions are not preventing food fertilizers from leaving Russia or anywhere else," he ded.

Blinken furr stressed that "only Russia is at fault for food security challenges" that have erupted on a global scale. "As decision to start this unjustified war, responsibility for disruption of se supplies and suffering that is causing around world lies squarely and solely with Russian government," he stated.

US announces $215mn in food aid to Ukraine

Noting escalating food crisis worldwide amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, US State Secretary on Wednesday announced an ditional $215 million in new emergency food aid to Ukraine. “Today, given urgency of crisis, we’re announcing anor $215 million in new emergency food assistance, and we’ll do much more,” Blinken said. He also called on allies and or countries to allocate assistance to help mitigate looming threat of acute food insecurity due to Russian war. "Countries with significant grain and fertilizer reserves as well as those with financial resources need to step up and do it fast. United States has announced more than $2.3 billion in new funding for emergency food assistance to meet global humanitarian needs since Russia's invasion of Ukraine," CNN reported.

State Secretary furr informed that Congress "very soon" is expected to approve about $5.5 million in ditional funding for humanitarian assistance and food security. US is also set to commit $500 million to boost US fertilizer production. “ cost of doing business for vital organizations like World Food Programme, Food and Agricultural Organization, UNICEF, and ors, cost of doing business is going up. We have to help m continue to do ir business,” state secretary appealed.

It is pertinent to mention that Ukraine is second-largest grain producer in world, while Russia accounts for world's most agricultural fertiliser production. With burgeoning war, production and exports have lowered in significant amounts, leing to skyrocketing prices. Even rise in price of fertilizers has led to an increase in grain prices.

(Image: AP)