WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russian attacks on Ukraine’s grain infrastructure along the Danube River show that Vladimir Putin “doesn’t care” about supplying basic foodstuffs to developing countries, the U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday.
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“This is unacceptable. “Putin does not care about global food security,” US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.
After several attacks in early August, the Russian military once again targeted the Danube port infrastructure during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday with drones.
“As a result of the enemy’s bombing of one of the Danube ports: the grain depots were destroyed,” Odessa region governor Oleg Kipper said on social media.
Ukraine also announced, on Wednesday, the exit of the first commercial cargo ship from the port of Odessa, in defiance of Russia, which threatens to sink such ships since it closed the door to an agreement allowing the export of Ukrainian grain.
Washington calls on Moscow to return “immediately” to this agreement.
“The contrast is very stark. Our Ukrainian partners are inspiring the world while Russia is starving the world by weaponizing food,” said Vedant Patel.
