Black Sea blockade could trigger global food crisis - Zelensky
The blockade of the Black Sea due to Russian aggression poses a food security challenge not only for Ukraine but also for many countries around the world.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that a prolonged war in Ukraine could trigger a global food crisis, as he discussed with American journalist Fareed Zakaria at the 2026 Yalta European Strategy meeting. The issue stems from the ongoing blockade of the Black Sea, affecting food supplies on both Ukrainian and Russian sides. Zelensky emphasized that this blockade is not just a domestic problem for Ukraine, but also a significant challenge for Russia's economy and the global community.
Zelensky met with officials from countries including Egypt, India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, stressing that all these nations face difficulties due to the disrupted food corridor. He assured that Ukrainians would not go hungry, but highlighted the severe impact on global food prices and logistics. The prolonged blockade would complicate grain exports and create substantial logistical challenges for affected countries.
Zelensky pointed out that while Ukraine's situation is dire, other nations would be in an even worse predicament if they lacked food, regardless of their financial resources. He warned that the problems of food security and energy are global challenges today. Zelensky stressed that these issues cannot be resolved by Ukraine alone, as they are a collective challenge for many countries.
He suggested that an energy truce and efforts to secure food supply are essential steps that could be taken, even if a full peace agreement remains elusive. Zelensky reiterated that these concerns have been raised before but have gained renewed urgency, emphasizing the need for coordinated international action.
Written by urgent.news from Ukrinform - Economy's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
