Blinken says Russia “weaponizing food” by halting Ukraine grain deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused Russia of “weaponizing food” after Moscow halted its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has kept food supplies flowing out of Ukraine despite the war.

Blinken made the relevant remarks during a State Department briefing on July 17, according to The Hill.

The deal, which was brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye, became necessary after Russia invaded and blockaded Ukraine’s ports.

He said the agreement “to at least allow the grain and other food products to get out of Ukraine and on to world markets” has helped deliver 32 million tonnes of food products to different countries.

“So, the result of Russia’s action today — weaponizing food, using it as a tool, as a weapon in its war against Ukraine — will be to make food harder to come by in places that desperately need it, and have prices rise. We’re already seeing the market react to this as prices are going up,” Blinken said.

“The bottom line is it’s unconscionable. It should not happen. This should be restored as quickly as possible. And I hope that every country is watching this very closely. They will see that Russia is responsible for denying food to people who desperately need it around the world, and to contributing to rising prices at a time when many countries continue to experience very difficult inflation,” he added.

On earlier July 17, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow would suspend its part in the deal unless its demands are met to get its own food and fertilizer out to the world.

“When the part of the Black Sea deal related to Russia is implemented, Russia will immediately return to the implementation of the deal,” Peskov said.