Jakarta, IO – The United Nations (UN) finally intervened to negotiate with Russia after the country announced that it is pulling out of Black Sea Grain Initiative, a UN-backed deal brokered in July, in a bid to save the world’s food supply.
Russia announced its decision to suspend the deal for an indefinite period of time on Saturday (29/10). The reason given was that they could not guarantee the safety of civilian ships traveling under the agreement after the attack on its Black Sea Fleet by drones, reported CNN Indonesia on Monday (31/10).
“It is imperative that all parties refrain from any action that could endanger the wheat initiative, which is a key humanitarian effort that is clearly having a positive impact on access to food for millions of people around the world,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarri.
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Apart from the United Nations, NATO and the European Union have also urged Russia to reconsider its decision. US President Joe Biden on Saturday (29/10) even called Russia’s move outrageous and said it would only exacerbate an already dire global hunger crisis. (un)