Zelenskyy warns of global food crisis as Russia blocks Black Sea grain corridor
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official)
Russia has blocked the grain corridor in the Black Sea. The threat of a global food crisis is growing, and decisions must be made immediately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during the 2026 Yalta European Strategy meeting.
The world faces an "agro-Hormuz" threat
According to Zelenskyy, dragging out the war is a challenge for everyone worldwide.
"Today, we have a blocked food corridor. It is nearly blocked from the Ukrainian side and blocked from the Russian side. And this is a challenge for everyone," the President said.
According to him, he has spoken with representatives of Egypt, India, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
"Ukrainians will not be left without food. Grain prices will drop because exports will be expensive, the infrastructure needed for these sales will be complicated, and logistics will be terrible. This will be very difficult for us," he said.
However, other countries that simply will not have food will find themselves in a much worse situation, the President noted.
"Many nations will have nothing to eat, even if they have money. That is the truth. This will be Hormuz, but an agro version. And this is a serious problem," Zelenskyy stated.
According to the President, Ukraine should not be the only one resolving this issue.
"Agriculture and energy are the two challenges facing the entire world today. And if peace is impossible today because one person does not want it, we can address the issues of an energy truce and food security," he said.
In his view, such decisions can be made now and are highly relevant.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to respond symmetrically to Russian strikes on its energy system during the cold season. At the same time, he continues to call for negotiations to end the war.
In addition, global wheat prices surged to their highest level in three years amid fears of a new escalation of the war in Ukraine.
