Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has blamed Russia for causing unrest in Sri Lanka as well as around the world due to the blocking of food products during the invasion of Ukraine.

One of the major tactics Russia has used in their invasion of Ukraine is the creation of an “economic shock,” Zelensky said, adding that several countries experiencing food and fuel shortages due to the disruption in the supply chain have benefitted Russia’s agenda.

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Speaking over the crisis in Sri Lanka during a recent address at the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, Zelensky said, “The shocking food and fuel price hikes led to a social explosion. No one knows now how it will end.”

It is reported that the ongoing war in Ukraine has left an estimated 1.6 billion people in 94 countries exposed to at least one dimension of finance, food, or energy crisis, with around 1.2 billion living in “perfect-storm” countries severely vulnerable.

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Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is suffering its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948, which comes on the heels of successive waves of Covid-19, threatening to undo years of development. Notably, the oil supply shortage has forced schools and government offices to close until further notice. 

Reduced domestic agricultural production, a lack of foreign exchange reserves, and local currency depreciation have fuelled the shortages.

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Moreover, due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the increase in hunger since the start of the war is only ascending.

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The number of severely food insecure people doubled from 135 million prior to the pandemic, to 276 million over just two years. The ripple effects of the war could push this number to 323 million.