America kicks as Russia halts Black Sea Grain Initiative

Admin l Sunday, October 30, 2022

WASHINGTON – The United States of America has reacted angrily to the decision of Russia to back out of the UN brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative.

In a statement, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said the US regrets the decision of Russia to suspend operation on the initiative but urged all parties to keep this essential, life-saving Initiative functioning.

According to Blinken, the Black Sea Grain Initiative has already moved more than 9 million metric tons of food and brought prices down around the world and that the initiative was critically important for low- and middle-income countries.

“It has been a success and must continue”, Blinken said, adding that any act by Russia to disrupt these critical grain exports is essentially a statement that people and families around the world should pay more for food or go hungry.

“In suspending this arrangement, Russia is again weaponizing food in the war it started, directly impacting low- and middle-income countries and global food prices, and exacerbating already dire humanitarian crises and food insecurity”, the United States said, adding, “we urge the Government of Russia to resume its participation in the Initiative, fully comply with the arrangement, and work to ensure that people around the world continue to be able to receive the benefits facilitated by the Initiative”, he said.