The first consequence of Russia's pullout from the grain deal will be an increase in prices for grain worldwide — Dmytro Kuleba

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called on Russia to "stop playing hunger games" in response to Russia's exit from the grain deal.

The minister said this on the air of the CBS Mornings programme.

Kuleba said that Russia is "slowly killing the grain initiative," using famine as an "instrument to blackmail the world."

"Last year, when the Black Sea Grain Initiative was introduced, grain prices in the world dropped by 20%. So, the immediate outcome of the non-extension of the agreement will mean that prices for grain all across the globe will go up, and people in the most vulnerable regions of Asia and Africa will feel it. And this is the result of Russian actions," the Foreign Minister said.

He also added that it is impossible to compensate for the blockade of Ukrainian ports by inland routes. 

It will be recalled that Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov announced Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia was breaking agreements with the UN and Türkiye, not Ukraine.

Photo: UNIAN