JABAR EKSPRES – The United Nations (UN) has said it is deeply concerned about Russian attacks on Ukrainian food and foodstuff facilities after Moscow withdrew from an agreement facilitating food exports.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “expressed concern about the possibility of rising global food prices” due to Russia’s exit, Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Haq added that the attack “did not alleviate those concerns.”

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“Clearly, what he wants is a return to the Black Sea Green Initiative and the understanding that we already have,” Haq said.

“And he’s doing everything he can to see what can be done to make sure food and fertilizer exports can get out of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, but actions like this make that more difficult,” he added.

Russia suspended its participation in the UN and Turkey-initiated Black Sea food agreement on July 17 on the grounds that its demands in the agreement were not met.

Russia provided that banking restrictions be eased and fertilizer exports be allowed again, before re-entering the agreement.

The agreement takes effect in July 2022 and is a milestone in efforts to bolster global food security after food exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports were halted due to an embargo imposed by Russia as part of its war against its Eastern European neighbor.