[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian government has proposed negotiations, stating that it is ready to provide a humanitarian corridor to allow grain transport vessels to pass through the currently blockaded Black Sea ports, and that it will lift the blockade if some sanctions against Russia are eased. This is interpreted as a strategy to use food supply routes as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the West amid worsening food crises centered in the Middle East and Africa.
According to TASS news agency on the 25th (local time), Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, said at a press conference that "we will partially lift the blockade of Black Sea ports and open a humanitarian corridor to allow grain transport vessels to set sail," adding that "we are discussing this issue with the United Nations." He added a condition, saying, "However, a comprehensive approach, including the lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia's exports and financial transactions, will be necessary to lift the port blockade."
This is seen as Russia entering a strategy to use food resources as leverage in negotiations, following energy resources such as oil and natural gas. Earlier, on February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine and occupied most of the Black Sea region ports responsible for major global food supplies, and is currently blockading the Black Sea coastal area using naval forces. With grain export routes blocked, grain storage facilities in Ukraine are reaching saturation, and farmers are expected to face difficulties storing the grain harvested this fall.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the amount of grain stuck at ports and unable to be exported due to the Russian military blockade reaches 25 million tons. Especially, hunger is worsening in Middle Eastern and African countries that depend on Ukrainian and Russian grain imports by more than 80%, leading to continued international condemnation.
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting held in Davos, Switzerland on the 24th, condemnation of Russia's weaponization of food continued. David Beasley, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), said, "49 million people in 43 countries are knocking on the door of hunger," and called on Russia to lift the port blockade. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission, also strongly criticized Russia, saying, "Russia is threatening the world by using food and famine."
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