Putin blocking hundreds of ships filled with wheat in the Black Sea: Von der Leyen [View all]

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Source: ABC

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday accused Russia's President Vladimir Putin of blocking hundreds of ships filled with wheat in the Black Sea.

"Our continent is being rocked by a tectonic shift not seen since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The consequences of this war on Europe's security architecture will be far-reaching. And I'm not just talking about security in military terms, but also energy security and even food security are at stake," she said in a speech to the European Commission.

Von der Leyen added: "The effects of the Russian war go beyond energy of course. They are also disrupting vital food supplies and driving food prices up."
The consequences of this disruption will be felt from Lebanon, Egypt and Tunisia to Africa and the Far East, according to von der Leyen.

"We should not forget that Ukraine alone provides more than half of the world food programs' wheat supply. The shelling and the bombing makes it impossible for Ukrainian farmers to sow," she said. "I call on Putin to let those ships go. Otherwise, he will not only be responsible for a war and death, but also for famine and hunger. Let these ships go," von der Leyen added.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/russia-ukraine/?id=83390885#83624006

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With Russia occupying its northeast shores, it is bordered by six countries - Ukraine to the north, Georgia to the east, Turkey to the south and Bulgaria and Romania to the west. Three of those nations, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania, are members of NATO and that is a bone of contention for the Kremlin.
https://en.as.com/en/2022/02/25/latest_news/1645814627_130506.html