The United States strongly condemns today’s Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian port of Odesa. Just 24 hours after a deal was struck to resume exports of Ukrainian agricultural products via the Black Sea, Russia broke its commitments by attacking a historic port from which grain and agricultural exports would resume shipping under the deal. The Kremlin continues to disregard the safety and security of millions of civilians as it continues its assault on Ukraine. With an effective blockade of the Black Sea, Russia is starving Ukraine of its economic vitality and the world of food supply.
This attack casts serious doubt on the credibility of Russia’s commitment to yesterday’s deal and undermines the work of the UN, Turkey and Ukraine to secure critical food on world markets. Russia bears the responsibility for deepening the global food crisis and must stop its aggression and fully implement the agreement it agreed to.
