PRESS RELEASE : If the world does not help Ukraine unblock its ports, the energy crisis will be followed by a food crisis – President

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 21 May 2022.

The world community must help Ukraine unblock seaports, otherwise the energy crisis will be followed by a food crisis and many more countries will face it, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Russia has blocked almost all ports and all, so to speak, maritime opportunities to export food – our grain, barley, sunflower and more. A lot of things,” the Head of State said during a meeting with media representatives following negotiations with Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa in Kyiv.

According to the President of Ukraine, currently the Russian Federation has blocked 22 million tons of food products. The aggressor country is gradually stealing it and trying to sell it.

“There will be a crisis in the world. The second crisis after the energy one, which was provoked by Russia. Now it will create a food crisis if we do not unblock the routes for Ukraine, do not help the countries of Africa, Europe, Asia, which need these food products. You can unblock them in different ways. One of the ways is a military solution. That is why we turn to our partners with inquiries regarding the relevant weapons,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.

For his part, the Prime Minister of Portugal noted that his country has already sent military aid to our country. These are non-lethal and lethal weapons in accordance with Ukraine’s requests. And the provision of such assistance continues.