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Russia’s Black Sea Blockade Could Trigger Global Food Crisis Within Two Months, Zelenskyy Warns
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia’s blockade of maritime routes could trigger food shortages across parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East within the next one to two months, potentially leading to a broader global food crisis.
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Zelenskyy emphasized that Moscow has shown no willingness to end its war against Ukraine or take meaningful steps toward de-escalation, while continued restrictions on maritime trade threaten Ukrainian agricultural exports, according to the president’s Telegram channel on October 13.
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“We currently see no signals from Russia that it wants to end the war. We see no basic steps toward de-escalation. Everyone is talking about diesel and forgetting about grain. In a month or two, everyone will start talking about an agricultural crisis. There will not be enough food for countries on the African continent, some Asian countries, and the Middle East. Because we export millions of tons specifically to these markets. And now Russia is blocking the sea,” Zelenskyy said, according to a statement published on his official Telegram channel.
The Ukrainian leader stressed that disruptions to grain exports could have consequences far beyond Ukraine, particularly for countries that depend on agricultural imports to meet their food needs.
He also noted that the United States has yet to experience the direct effects of the maritime restrictions, which, in his view, explains why discussions have largely focused on energy supplies rather than the potential impact on global food security.
Zelenskyy warned that the consequences of disrupted agricultural trade could extend beyond economic difficulties, potentially creating conditions for widespread hunger in vulnerable regions.
“This is another challenge. This is hunger. And it could happen in many countries. We need to think about everything and everyone. Because we all live on this planet. And we can stop many different crises before they even begin and prevent these challenges,” the Ukrainian president emphasized.
Just a month earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on September 25 that Egypt, India, Türkiye, and representatives of Middle Eastern countries had put forward separate proposals aimed at ending Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea.
According to Zelenskyy, the proposals reflect a shared interest in restoring maritime trade, particularly the uninterrupted transportation of Ukrainian agricultural products. The countries suggested establishing a mutual ceasefire in the Black Sea to ensure safe passage for commercial shipments. Some also submitted written proposals outlining potential arrangements, which Ukrainian officials reviewed and considered fair.
Zelenskyy added that the countries involved were expected to approach Russia following their discussions with Ukraine, either subsequently or simultaneously. However, he emphasized that Kyiv had not received confirmation that these contacts had taken place or any indication of Moscow’s position on the proposals.
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