G7 condemns Russia's use of food "as a destabilising means and tool of geopolitical coercion"
Agriculture ministers from the G7 (Group of Seven) countries condemned on Sunday Russia's use of food "as a destabilising means and instrument of geopolitical coercion" during its invasion of Ukraine, EFE and Agerpres reported.
"We continue to condemn in the strongest terms Russia's illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine," reads the joint statement adopted by the Group of Seven at the end of their two-day meeting in the southwestern Japanese city of Miyazaki, which was also attended by the EU representative.
Agriculture ministers from Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union expressed "deep concern at the devastating impact of the war on global food security, in particular through sharp increases in grain, fuel and fertiliser prices, which disproportionately affect the most vulnerable," the text said.
The G7 expressed support for initiatives by the EU, Ukraine and Turkey to open up grain export channels from the war-affected territory, one of the world's largest producers, and specifically expressed "strong support" for the expansion and implementation of the Black Sea grain shipping initiative.
The group of seven highly industrialised countries pledged to "support those most affected by Russia's militarisation of food" with measures to ensure their access to food and fertiliser.
The signatories of the declaration also reaffirmed their commitment to support Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery by sharing their diverse agricultural experiences and expertise with the country, as well as helping to rebuild infrastructure and provide access to finance and seeds for Ukrainian farmers through international organisations.
