EU and UN discuss global food security and sanctions against Russia

Guterres’ presence at the EU summit comes a few days after the renewal of an agreement negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey regarding the secure export of Ukrainian wheat via the Black Sea, considered crucial for addressing the global food crisis. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the bloc wanted to “ensure that Russia’s horrible war of aggression against Ukraine would not lead to food insecurity worldwide”.

“We must guarantee that wheat exports, for example from Ukraine, can continue,” he said.

Sanctions and oil exports

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas opposed any easing of sanctions against Moscow as part of the wheat deal and called for a stricter cap on Russian oil export prices.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking via video, urged Europe to speed up and increase weapons deliveries, including long-range missiles and modern aircraft, and to impose new sanctions on Russia, or risk the war dragging on.

“If Europe hesitates, evil could have time to regroup and prepare for years of war,” he said.

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Displaced Ukrainian children

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that any new sanctions against Russia would primarily focus on elimination. She also announced that the EU would work with other organizations to locate displaced Ukrainian children in Russia and advocate for their return. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin last week for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

“It’s a horrible reminder of the darkest moments of our history… to expel children. It’s a war crime,” she said.

EU leaders approved a plan to send one million artillery ammunition to Ukraine over the next year. Officials say Ukraine is using ammunition at a faster rate than its allies can produce it, prompting the search for new ammunition and ways to increase production, which requires more funds as the war enters its 14th month.

The EU has allocated 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) for the rapid supply of ammunition – and possibly missiles – from existing stocks and another billion euros for joint orders from EU countries for other shots. The money will come from the European Peace Facility, an EU fund that has already allocated several billion euros for military aid in Ukraine. On Thursday, the summit began discussions on how to supplement with an additional 3.5 billion euros.