Italy warns of new conflicts in Africa as a result of grain crisis

The Italian Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio, assured today that the “world bread war has already begun” because of the grain blockade in Ukraine, which prevents many vulnerable countries from accessing grain, and means “the risk of That new conflict break out in Africa.

“The global bread war is already going on and we must stop it. We We risk political instability in AfricaFor the proliferation of terrorist organizations, for coups: this can lead to the grain crisis that we are experiencing, ”said Di Maio.

Before the war, Ukraine was one of the world’s leading exporters of grain and agricultural fertilizers, and its goods were essential to the food security of regions such as the Middle East and North Africa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin “must reach a peace deal as soon as possible, including an agreement on grain, such as an armistice agreement that allows us to evacuate women, civilians and children who were killed by Russian bombs in eastern Ukraine.” Have been for under 100. days,” he said.

“Hi 30 lakh tonnes of grain blocked In Ukrainian ports by Russian warships,” he said, “what we are doing is working for Russia to unblock wheat exports to Ukrainian ports, because right now we risk the breakout of new wars in Africa.” “

The head of Italian diplomacy recalled that “we will hold the first dialogue session with the countries of the Mediterranean on food security, we will work with Germany, Turkey, France and many others to achieve the goal of unlocking the quantity of wheat.” They should leave Ukraine.

Italy offered a few days ago to destroy Ukraine’s ports and build “sea corridors” to transport wheat and the prime minister, Mario DraghiPutin, asking him to also unblock grain exports from Ukraine to the Black Sea and Sea of ​​Azov ports, such as Marispol, invaded by Russian troops.

The Russian president replied that if the West lifts sanctions on Russia, his country can export grain.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), headquartered in Rome, has warned of consequences as a war on food security around the world between Ukraine and Russia, both huge grain exporters, is underway.

Italy, in cooperation with the FAO, is convening a ministerial dialogue for 8 June with the countries of the Mediterranean to understand the needs and outline intervention measures in the face of the dire consequences of the war on food security, particularly in the Mediterranean and Africa.