Russia has pointed the finger at Western actions to block grain exports from Ukraine.
The blockade, combined with the scarcity of land sea routes, means that a significant supply of grain is stored and cannot be exported from Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We do not categorically accept these allegations. On the contrary, we blame Western countries for taking action that has led to this.”
Foreign Minister Liz Truss has accused Vladimir Putin of trying to “get the world to the rescue” by blocking Russia’s grain exports to Ukraine.
During a visit to Bosnia, he said: “It is utterly appalling that Putin is trying to rescue the world, and is essentially fueling hunger and food shortages among the world’s poorest people.
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“We simply cannot allow this to happen. Putin must remove the blockade on Ukraine’s grain.
“What we can’t have is a lifting of sanctions, no easing, which will simply make Putin stronger in the long run.”
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0:38 A huge problem is approaching for the whole world, as huge quantities of grain are trapped in Ukraine, unable to be exported due to the Russian blockade on the city of Odessa.
British military officials say Ukraine’s land export routes are “very unlikely” to offset the problems caused by Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea port of Odessa, further pressuring world grain prices.
Russia and Ukraine account for almost a third of the world’s wheat supply, and Ukraine’s lack of exports is contributing to a growing global food crisis.
Turkey is in talks with Russia and Ukraine to open a corridor through the Bosphorus for grain exports from Ukraine, according to a senior Turkish official.
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The official said: “Turkey is negotiating with Russia and Ukraine for the export of Ukrainian grain.
“With a broker opening from Turkey, there was a demand for this grain to reach its target markets. Negotiations are still ongoing.”
The UN has tried to reach an agreement to resume Ukrainian food exports and exports of Russian food and fertilizer.
However, difficulties include Russian demands to lift sanctions in return and the cost of securing the sea route.