Moscow – AFP
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday that the West cannot impose “crazy” economic sanctions on Russia and expect it at the same time to guarantee food supplies, in response to US accusations of “withholding food supplies” because of the war.
And Medvedev said on Telegram: “Our country is ready to assume its obligations. But he is also waiting for help from his trading partners.”
“It doesn’t make sense in the absence of that: on the one hand they impose crazy sanctions on us, and on the other hand they demand that we guarantee food,” added the former president, who is deputy head of the Russian Security Council. It’s not like that, we’re not stupid.”
Russia and Ukraine together provide 30% of the world’s food supply.
On Thursday, the United States and Russia exchanged accusations at the United Nations, blaming each other for the worsening deterioration of food security in the world, and Washington called on Moscow to allow the export of Ukrainian grain crops stuck in the Black Sea ports.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said during the meeting: “Stop obstructing the Black Sea ports! Allow freedom of movement for ships, trains and trucks transporting food from Ukraine.” He continued: “Stop suspending the export of food and fertilizers to countries that are critical of the war.”
On the other hand, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, denounced the existence of a Western intention to “hold Russia responsible for the world’s problems,” rejecting Western accusations once morest his country. Increasing costs, logistical difficulties and “speculative operations in Western markets”.
He stressed that it is Ukraine that is obstructing the work of its ports through the mines that it spreads along the coasts of the Black Sea, and through Kyiv’s lack of intention to cooperate with ship owners to enable dozens of foreign ships to operate.