Russian forces have prevented grain from being exported from Ukraine to countries around the world, including Morocco, according to a joint statement from nations participating in the ongoing “Uniting for Global Food Security” conference in Berlin.
Following the outbreak of the conflict, food security has become a pressing issue globally, with some countries being more severely affected than others. In Morocco, the repercussions of the crisis have been felt, as the Kingdom relied on Ukrainian wheat imports to supply local demand.
The recent statement, received by Hespress EN, revealed that in total, Russian forces have blocked an approximate 20 million tons of grains from reaching their destination. Citing “credible reports,” the statement says that “Putin’s army, in contravention of international laws and agreements, may be transporting wheat out of Ukraine to Russian-controlled areas, and withholding it from countries in dire need of grain imports.”
Moscow however, denies blocking the passage of cargo vessels and blames Western sanctions against Russia for contributing to the food crisis.
Participating governments denied Russia’s claims, stating that “sanctions explicitly exclude food supplies, do not prevent any country from purchasing wheat from Russia, while also excluding agricultural commodities as well as other humanitarian and medical goods.”
“Morocco, like many other countries, is actively engaged in securing shipments of wheat and other foodstuffs for its people,” said the statement, adding that the Kingdom “has a strong role” to play in ending the crisis, concluding that “this calls for nothing less than a united response by the international community, of which Morocco is a proud member.”
Foreign agriculture and development ministers from around the world are gathering in Berlin this Friday for a conference on food security, amid concerns of food shortage threats caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Representatives from 40 countries have met in the German capital today, to attempt to counter soaring food prices and a growing international inflation, exacerbated by the war in eastern Europe.
The United Nations has warned that the crisis is currently affecting poorer African countries the most because of their heavy dependence on Russian and Ukrainian wheat.
Russia is pursuing a slow starvation policy, which is a malicious policy. Africa is the first to be affected, and consequently…
Morocco has assets that can be exploited in this circumstance, in particular phosphates, which are a card to play to achieve its objectives, in addition to securing internal supply and preparing in the future for a peer-to-peer approach from Russia Politics.