U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that reports indicating Russia is "stealing" Ukrainian grain are "reliable," asserting that the goal is to "sell it for profit." Blinken mentioned in a virtual conference by his department on the food security implications of the conflict that the grain sector crisis is "deliberate," accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of engaging in "extortion" to lift international sanctions imposed on Russia. The U.S. official confirmed that Moscow has also begun to retain its food exports after imposing a "naval blockade in the Black Sea that prevents the transport of Ukrainian crops" worldwide.
The New York Times reported that Washington warned 14 countries, mostly in Africa, in mid-May that Russian shipping vessels were carrying "stolen Ukrainian grain." Antony Blinken referenced this article from the American newspaper without directly confirming the alert issued to the African countries. Additionally, the Ukrainian ambassador in Ankara accused Russia on Friday of "stealing" and exporting Ukrainian grain, particularly to Turkey.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Monday that 20 to 25 million tons of grain are currently stuck in Ukraine due to the war, and this amount could triple by fall. He added, "We need maritime corridors and are discussing this with Turkey, the United Kingdom," as well as with the United Nations. Russia and Ukraine are major grain producers, together representing 30% of global wheat exports, which have been affected by the war, causing prices to rise.
