Pope Francis called for lifting the blockade of wheat exports from Ukraine, saying that grain can not be used as a “weapon of war”.
Source: Pope Francis
“The blocking of exports of wheat from Ukraine is very worrying because the lives of millions of people depend on it, especially in poorer countries.”
Many millions of people, particularly in the world’s poorest countries, depend on wheat from Ukraine, the Pope told a general audience of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, calling for the block to be lifted.
The United Nations, which says a global food crisis is worsening, is trying to broker a deal to unblock Ukraine’s grain exports, though Western leaders have blamed Russia for holding the world to ransom by blockading Ukrainian ports.
“I sincerely appeal so that every effort is made to resolve this problem, to guarantee the universal right to nutrition. Please! Do not use wheat, a basic foodstuff, as a weapon of war.”
Ukraine is desperately trying to export its vast grain reserves by road, river and rail to help prevent a crisis, but has no chance of achieving its goals unless Russia lifts its blockade of Black Sea ports.
See also: European Commission approves plan to help Ukraine export grain through Russia’s port blockade
