Sybiha discusses Russia's attacks on Ukrainian ports with World Food Program chief

In a recent discussion with the World Food Program chief, Sybiha shed light on Russia's aggressive actions targeting Ukrainian ports. The chief was briefed about Russia's extensive assault on Kyiv, as well as the security and humanitarian challenges stemming from Russia's missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and vital infrastructure. A significant focus was placed on Russia's systematic attacks on Ukrainian ports, maritime infrastructure, and civilian vessels.

Sybiha emphasized the critical importance of maintaining open maritime grain corridors for Ukraine's economy. However, the ramifications of disrupting these corridors extend far beyond Ukraine and Europe, impacting global food security, prices, and supply chains. They also tackled the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting that while circumstances differ, the shared global challenge of threatened or blocked maritime routes remains consistent.

Sybiha stressed the necessity of a unified response and practical assistance to safeguard the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and protect global supply chains from potential disruptions. He expressed the agreement to continue collaborating closely with the World Food Program, emphasizing that collective solutions are needed for freedom of navigation and global food security.

This urgency is underscored by the possibility of wheat prices increasing by approximately $80 per tonne, translating to an additional $16 billion in costs for consumers worldwide. The global wheat prices have already reached a three-year high due to Russian and Ukrainian strikes on Black Sea infrastructure.