Russian obstacles to Ukrainian grain exports exacerbate global food supply challenges - Dombrovskis

• Published date: 27 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

RIGA, May 27 (LETA) - Global food supply challenges are being exacerbated by the obstacles Russia is placing to Ukrainian exports of grain and other agricultural produce, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis (New Unity) told LETA following the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The EU commissioner indicated that Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the international community's reaction to this war featured high on the Davos forum's agenda. Discussions at the forum in the Swiss mountain resort Davos focused also on the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed in Davos to use the frozen Russian assets to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. Commenting on von der Leyen's proposal, Dombrovskis said that currently it is necessary to focus on ending the war as soon as possible, which means that Ukraine has to be provided with all the necessary support, so it can defend itself and win the war. It is also necessary to keep pressurizing Russia with sanctions and other means to lessen Russia's ability to finance and continue its war.

Dombrovskis noted that the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine were also a much discussed topic at the Davos forum. The war has slowed the growth of the global economy and also the EU economy.

Participants of the World Economic Forum also discussed issues concerning steeply rising energy prices and food security in the world.

"Russia is blocking Ukrainian ports, preventing the exports...