The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, warned this Friday before the G20 Foreign Ministers that Russia's attacks against Ukrainian ports, agricultural infrastructure, and civilian maritime transport in the Black Sea are "putting at risk" global food security by hindering grain exports.
The head of European diplomacy delivered this message during the G20 meeting held in the US city of Atlanta, at which her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, was also present. Before him, Kallas demanded that Moscow end its military offensive against Ukraine and sit down to negotiate a peaceful way out of the conflict.
"Russia's attacks against Ukrainian ports, agricultural infrastructure, and civilian maritime transport have consequences that go far beyond Ukraine. The Black Sea has become a strategic point. Global grain prices are at their highest level since 2023 and Russia's activities in the Black Sea make access to food difficult around the world," she denounced.
After calling for "food not to be used as a weapon," she recalled that the G20 Trade Ministers had already agreed to condemn its instrumentalization at their last meeting, so she urged turning that commitment into "concrete actions." In this sense, she asked the powers gathered in Atlanta to support a pact that guarantees freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
"I call on the G20 partners who have not yet done so to support an agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea," the High Representative noted, stressing that Ukraine has already given its approval to this initiative, while Russia has rejected it. For this reason, she urged the G20 countries to use their diplomatic channels with Moscow to try to unblock the agreement.
RUSSIA, THE ONLY OPPONENT OF THE CEASEFIRE
In another matter, Kallas blamed Moscow for being the only actor that rejects an "immediate, complete and unconditional" ceasefire in Ukraine, and urged the Kremlin to show "a real will" to stop the war and join peace negotiations.
"We support Ukraine's call for an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire. Only Russia opposes it", the Estonian politician has emphasized, reiterating the European Union's commitment to maintain its support for Kiev until achieving a "comprehensive, just and lasting" peace that safeguards its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Lastly, Kallas has warned that disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and in Bab el-Mandeb also pose a threat to energy security, trade and international supply chains. For this reason, she has called on the members of the G20 to strengthen cooperation in order to protect the planet's main maritime routes.