Brussels has facilitated export flows through its so-called ‘solidarity lanes’, says senior diplomat
The European Union has accelerated the export of Ukrainian grain, almost doubling the volume of shipments in June, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reported on his Twitter on Friday.
According to him, the EU has transported 5.8 million tons of grain from Ukraine through the so-called “solidarity lanes” since April.
Borrell also wrote that “1.2 billion people are severely exposed to the combination of rising food and energy prices and tightening financial conditions.” Once again he accused Moscow of “Locking millions of tons of grain in Ukraine’s storage facilities, using food as a weapon of war.”
Western nations have repeatedly blamed Russia for blockading Ukrainian ports, making it impossible to ship the country’s grain. Moscow has responded that it would ensure the safe passage of grain shipments if kyiv clears its ports of mines.
Last month, President Vladimir Putin said Russia is not hampering exports and criticized the West for its “cynical attitude” towards the food supply of developing countries, which have been the most affected by the rise in prices. He said that rising inflation in the West was “a result of their own irresponsible macroeconomic policies”.
Ukraine, a major agricultural producer, has been unable to export its grain by sea due to the ongoing conflict, with an estimated 22 to 25 million tons of grain currently stuck in the country’s ports.