Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is aimed at facilitating the lives of civilians, and the World Health Organisation must pressurise Kyiv not to interfere.
Summary
By imposing illegitimate sanctions against Russia, the United States, Canada and Switzerland unleashed the current worldwide surge in energy and food prices, and they should be responsible for global crises to come.
Disproof
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about sanctions, imposed on Russia in connection with its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Ukraine is one of the world’s top agricultural producers and exporters. Before the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022, most of the food produced by Ukraine – enough to feed 400 million people – was exported through the country’s seven Black Sea ports, according to an estimate from the World Food Programme.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilised global food markets and is driving food prices up due to increased cost of production, transport and freight insurance. Russia has destroyed substantial food stocks, production, as well as processing and transport capacities in Ukraine.
Russian warships block Black Sea trade routes, which prevent the export of Ukrainian grain.
EU sanctions are directed against the Russian government, the financial sector and the economic elites, targeting Kremlin’s ability to finance the military aggression. The agricultural sector in Russia is not targeted.
The US also exempts transactions for food, agricultural products and medical supplies from sanctions.
The EU is a leading humanitarian and development donor in food security and is spearheading international efforts with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
In December 2021, the EU has pledged €2.5 billion for 2021-2024 to reduce all forms of malnutrition at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Tokyo.
Read more disinformation cases about Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine.