Russia’s Ambassador Anatoly Antonov on June 17 slammed the United States for fabricating accusations “that have nothing to do with reality” against Russia, blaming it for global food crisis. “Our country is imputed with trying to take steps aimed at deliberately degrading global food security, preventing Ukrainian agricultural exports by sea, and blocking the sowing campaign in that country,” said Antonov in a piece published in National Interest. “It’s time to put an end to these speculations,” he asserted. “If Washington really wants to improve the situation in the global agricultural market, let us cooperate,” Russian ambassador urged.
Russia cited United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), saying that there is currently no physical shortage of food but only distribution. Russia has been asking Ukrainian forces ti demine the maritime routes in the Black Sea. Prices started to increase and then skyrocketed by 50 percent by this February, said Antonov. This was worsened by coronavirus pandemic and a lack of investment.
“Western states made mistakes and miscalculations in their economic and energy policies,” Russia’s Ambassador Anatoly Antonov asserted.
According to Russian ambassador, the situation has been complicated by the “Western-led campaign to forcefully accelerate the transition by the international community from traditional energy sources to renewable energy.” Russia has absolutely nothing to do with the price hikes, asserted Antonov.
