Pope Francis issued a plea on Sunday urging Russia to adhere to the deal that facilitated the secure transportation of Ukrainian grain over the Black Sea to global markets.
The grain agreement pertaining to Ukraine was reached in the previous year, enabling the exportation of around 33 million tonnes of grain from Ukrainian ports. This agreement played a crucial role in mitigating global food price fluctuations and preventing potential shortages.
“I am calling on my brothers, the authorities in the Russian Federation, to re-establish the Black Sea initiative so that the wheat could be safely transported”, Francis said during his weekly Angelus prayer.
“We are constantly praying for martyred Ukraine, where the war is destroying everything, including the wheat, which is a major offence to God because wheat is his gift to feed humanity and the cries of millions of our brothers and sisters suffering from hunger are lifting to the sky,” he said.
Two weeks ago, the Russian government declined to renew an agreement facilitated by the United Nations and Turkey. This agreement allowed for the transportation of Ukrainian grain exports over the Black Sea, enabling access to worldwide markets, including Africa. This arrangement had the beneficial effect of alleviating the strain on food prices.
Following months of complaints that the provisions of the pact allowing for the export of Russian fertiliser were not upheld, Moscow withdrew from it.
Russia’s withdrawal has resulted in an increase in wheat prices.
