The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has given the world an additional problem to deal with as nations face a food crisis. Considering the warring countries together make up the breadbasket of the world, the battle has disrupted supply chains, leaving many nations without wheat and other grains. While countries stare down the barrel of starvation, Ukraine’s silos are full, preventing them from harvesting their summer crops. The solution to this would be to use the Black Sea ports and export the grain worldwide, eradicating the crisis, and helping Ukraine’s economy. The hurdle, of course, is Russia – who’ve blockaded these ports in an attempt to batter the neighbouring country into submission. 

However, Moscow has now indicated that it is prepared to let the grains leave Ukrainian ports if the sanctions against Russia are lifted. Russian deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko made these comments amidst fears of a worldwide food shortage.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has also been accused of weaponizing food as a part of his invasion. 

Ukraine is a major exporter of wheat and sunflower oil. Along with Russia, the two make up for almost a third of the world’s barley and wheat supplies. 

Since nearly 20 million tons of grain are stranded at the Black Sea ports, western nations have proposed “safe corridors” for export, but they all require Russian consent. 

Rudenko, on Wednesday, said “the solution to the food problem requires a comprehensive approach”, though Moscow was open to the proposal, as per the Russian news agency, Interfax. 

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Ukraine would need to clear all ships that are docked while solving issues regarding insuring vessels. The nation would also have to allow Russian ships to access European ports and vice versa. 

“Russia is ready to provide the necessary humanitarian passage, which it does every day”, Rudenko added. 

The Russian deputy foreign minister’s stance is reminiscent of the stand taken by the former Russian president and deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev. 

He noted on his Telegram channel that allowing access to food items would come with strings attached. “Countries that import our wheat and other food products will have a very difficult time without supplies from Russia”, Medvedev said, adding that Russia “expects assistance from trading partners, including on international platforms”. 

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He concluded “Otherwise, it turns out to be illogical: on the one hand, crazy sanctions are being imposed against us, on the other hand, they are demanding food supplies,” he said, “we are not idiots.” 

Since Putin sent troops in on February 24, Russia has been hit by numerous sanctions impacting the nation’s economy.