By Hauwa Ali
The Group of Seven leading economies has warned that the war in Ukraine is leading to a global food crises which threatens poor countries, if urgent measures are not taken to enable grain export from Ukraine.
The G-7 gave the warning at a meeting of top diplomats hosted by German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, on Saturday, at Germany’s Baltic Sea coast.
The group, which comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United State top diplomats, unanimously agreed that the war threatens most vulnerable countries, while pledging to provide further humanitarian aid.
“Russia’s war of aggression has generated one of the most severe food and energy crises in recent history which now threatens those most vulnerable across the globe,” the group said.
“We are determined to accelerate a coordinated multilateral response to preserve global food security and stand by our most vulnerable partners in this respect,” it added.
Canada’s foreign minister, Melanie Joly, said her country is ready to send ships to European ports so Ukrainian grain can be brought to those in need.
“We need to make sure that these cereals are sent to the world,” she told reporters. “If not, millions of people will be facing famine.” She said.
In her remark, German Foreign Minister, who described the war as a “global crisis”, said up to 50 million people, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, would face hunger in the coming months unless ways are found to release Ukrainian grain, which accounts for a sizeable share of the worldwide supply.
The G7 nations also called on China “to desist from engaging in information manipulation, disinformation and other means to legitimize Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.”
They urged China, not to “assist Russia in its war of aggression,” by undermining international sanctions or justifying Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, rather China should support the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia has dismissed the claim that it was responsible for worsening global hunger and driving up food prices.
“Prices are rising because of sanctions imposed by the West under pressure of the USA. Failure to understand this is a sign either of stupidity or intentional misleading of the public.” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
The meeting was an opportunity for officials to discuss the broader implications of the war for geopolitics, energy and food security, and ongoing international efforts to tackle climate change and the pandemic.
The group also reiterated its stance that the territories seized by Russian forces need to be returned to Ukraine.
“We will never recognize borders Russia has attempted to change by military aggression,” they said.
