Poland’s Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, says Russia President, Vladimir Putin, is “weaponising Ukraine’s crops” as “a blackmail tool” for the rest of the world.
Prime Minister Morawiecki made the comment while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC , Prime Minister Morawiecki also warned that “only Putin” would be “happy” with a United Kingdom –European Union trade war over the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland.
Ukraine’s inability to export its grain has led to global food prices soaring.
It has also raised the prospect of famines in the countries which depend on its exports.
His warning was echoed by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, who told delegates in Davos that Russia was using “hunger and grain to wield power”.
Fears are rising that the Black Sea blockade is causing a global food crisis.
On Monday, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister urged the international community to create a “safe passage” to enable the millions of tons of grain stuck in Ukraine to leave the country.
First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko told the BBC that some sort of “corridor” was needed.
A UK government spokesperson said the country was working “intensively” with partners to find ways to allow grain exports to resume.
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