Ukraine and its allies have said that Russia is to blame for blocking Ukraine’s grain exports, because of threats to shipping from Russian ships. Britain last week accused Russia of “trying to hold the world to ransom” by demanding relief from Western sanctions to allow grain exports. Ukrainian authorities and the West have accused Russia of blocking Ukrainian ports to halt exports, endangering world food supplies. Putin on Friday again denied blocking Ukrainian ports, and said it was a “bluff” to blame Russia. World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said about 25 million tons of Ukrainian grain are in storage and another 25 million tons could be harvested next month.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 03, 2022 13:42 UTC