Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of ‘exporting poverty’ by mining Ukrainian farmland, blocking Ukrainian food exports, and stealing grain to sell throughout the world as part of a scheme to blackmail the West into relaxing sanctions.
It comes after repeated warnings that the conflict in Ukraine was pushing up global food prices and threatening to destabilize Africa.
Blinken said 20 million tons of wheat were trapped in silos near the Ukrainian port of Odessa, with more stuck on ships that couldn’t leave because of Russian warships, during a meeting with assistance agencies and private-sector groups.
‘It’s all planned,’ he explained.
‘We know that President Putin is halting food shipments and aggressively utilizing his propaganda machine to divert or distort blame in the aim of persuading the world to give in to him and lift the sanctions.
‘In other words, it’s blackmail, plain and simple.’
‘The Kremlin has to realize that Russia is exporting starvation and suffering well beyond Ukraine’s borders, with African countries bearing a disproportionate amount of the burden.’
Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of “exporting poverty” by stealing Ukrainian grain and selling it around the world, as well as using food as a bargaining chip to get sanctions lifted.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of “exporting poverty” by stealing Ukrainian grain and selling it around the world, as well as using food as a bargaining chip to get sanctions lifted.
Aerial photographs obtained last month of the Crimean port of Sevastopol show Russian-flagged carrier ships landing and loading alongside mammoth silos, sparking fears of big thefts.
Aerial photographs obtained last month of the Crimean port of Sevastopol show Russian-flagged carrier ships landing and loading alongside mammoth silos, sparking fears of big thefts.
A grain silo hit by Russian bombs in the town of Sivers’k, Donbas, last month had piles of burning grain and ruined infrastructure.
A grain silo hit by Russian bombs in the town of Sivers’k, Donbas, last month had piles of burning grain and ruined infrastructure.
Russia and Ukraine, according to the United Nations, supply over 40% of the wheat consumed in Africa. And prices have already increased by almost 23%.
A drought in the Horn of Africa has already caused 17 million people to go hungry.
According to the New York Times, American officials have warned African countries not to buy Russian wheat that has been stolen from Ukraine.
It was added to Blinken’s list of Russian abuses.
‘They strewn explosives across the fields,’ he claimed.
‘They’ve obliterated essential agricultural infrastructure.’
‘There are credible reports, including one published today in one of our major newspapers, that Russia is stealing Ukraine’s grain exports to sell for profit.’
Russia is accused of destroying grain storage infrastructure, causing a disruption in supplies from one of the world’s most important suppliers.
Russia is accused of destroying grain storage equipment, causing a disruption in shipments from one of the world’s most important suppliers.
‘Right now, Russia is also reporting its food exports.’
Ukraine has previously accused Russia of transporting Ukrainian grain to Turkey and Syria.
One of the most pressing issues in the conflict is the impact of Russian aggression on global food supplies.
It was brought up during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday.
After European Council President Charles Michel accused Russia of using food as a “stealth missile against underdeveloped countries” on Monday, Moscow’s envoy walked out.
He spoke directly to Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia about a recent trip to Odessa, where he saw millions of tons of grain stranded in storage facilities or on ships due to the Russian naval blockade.
‘This is causing food prices to rise, pushing people into poverty, and disrupting entire regions,’ Michel explained.
‘Russia is fully to blame for the impending food catastrophe.’ ‘Only Russia.’
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Earlier, British Prime Minister David Cameron discussed options to break the siege with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Blinken also talked on how important grain production in Ukraine is for the rest of the world.
‘Ukraine is one of the world’s breadbaskets,’ he remarked.
‘It’s a major producer of wheat, corn, and sunflower oil, among other things, and I hear this almost wherever I go.’
‘Right now,’ she says. Ukraine’s crops are unable to be sent to their customary destinations due to a Russian naval blockade in the Black Sea.
‘There are roughly 20 million tonnes of wheat stranded in silos in Odessa, as well as ships literally full of grain stuck in the Odessa port due to the Russian embargo,’ says one source.
The US Department of Justice has approved a warrant to confiscate Roman Abramovich’s $350 million 787 Dreamliner and Gulfstream plane, as part of a broader set of sanctions against Russian oligarchs following the invasion of Ukraine.
On Monday, US authorities acquired orders to seize two Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s jetliners for unlawfully traveling to Russia despite sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It’s the latest attempt by the US to maintain pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ultra-wealthy associates.
As part of the economic net tightening around Moscow, Abramovich was compelled to sell Chelsea Football Club in London.
Even while Abramovich has not been personally blacklisted by the US, his Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Gulfstream G650 ER aircraft are now in the crosshairs, in part because he has been involved in efforts to mediate a truce.
It should serve as a demonstration of how the US would utilize any available tool to implement sanctions, according to American officials.
However, it was unclear how the planes might be apprehended right away.
According to court filings, the Boeing jet is worth an estimated $350 million, making it one of the world’s most costly private planes.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has seen his fortune halve. Although he has not been sanctioned by the US, the FBI acquired a warrant on Monday to confiscate two of his jets after they flew to Russia in violation of export rules.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has seen his fortune halve. Although he has not been sanctioned by the US, the FBI acquired a warrant on Monday to confiscate two of his jets after they flew to Russia in violation of export rules.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner owned by Abramovich is said to be valued $350 million, making it one of the world’s most costly private jets. It is currently in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner owned by Abramovich is said to be valued $350 million, making it one of the world’s most costly private jets. It is currently in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Gulfstream of Abramovich is based in Moscow, placing it out of reach of US officials.
The Gulfstream of Abramovich is based in Moscow, placing it out of reach of US officials.
In 2020, the Gulfstream was purchased for a much more modest $60 million.
The jets flew to Russia after Moscow invaded Ukraine, according to an FBI affidavit, in violation of export limits imposed on Russian-operated aircraft.
‘Flight records for the Boeing show that the Boeing was reexported to Russia after the Russia sanctions took effect on or about February 24 and March 2, 2022,’ it claims.
‘Specifically, the Boeing travelled from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Moscow, Russia on or around March 4, 2022. The Boeing returned to Dubai the next day, where it has remained since.’
The Gulfstream flew from Istanbul, Turkey, to Moscow, then to Tel Aviv, Israel, before returning to Moscow, where it is thought to still be.
‘Today’s affidavit and warrant illustrate the Southern District’s resolve to use every legal tool available to enforce sanctions and export controls enacted in response to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine,’ said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.
Abramovich, 55, is one of the richest men on the planet.
He is worth an estimated $8.8 billion, having made his wealth when the Soviet Union’s nationalized businesses were sold off at deep discounts after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The owner of Chelsea Football Club was photographed in Tel Aviv airport in early March on his way to Istanbul after the EU decided to sanction him in the same way as the UK.
The owner of Chelsea Football Club was photographed in Tel Aviv airport in early March on his way to Istanbul after the EU decided to sanction him in the same way as the UK.
Sanctions imposed by the EU and the UK have hampered Abramovich’s lavish lifestyle, and the US has now attempted to seize his planes. He’s already had to sell the Chelsea soccer club.
Sanctions imposed by the EU and the UK have hampered Abramovich’s lavish lifestyle, and the US has now attempted to seize his planes. He’s already had to sell the Chelsea soccer club.
However, this is a far cry from his pre-Russian invasion fortune. He was estimated to have $16 billion in assets last year.
Since then, he has been forced to sell Chelsea, his assets have been blocked by the United Kingdom and the European Union, and his Evraz company’s stock has plummeted.
In the UK’s Sunday Times wealthy list, he slid from eighth to 28th place.
‘These affluent Russian billionaires have helped build an environment that has enabled Russia to prosecute its deadly war in Ukraine,’ said FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll.
‘The confiscation of their costly belongings, including these two planes, is simply one way the US government holds those who disobey US laws and support Russia’s attempt to capture a sovereign nation accountable.’
‘We have only just began our task, and we will not back down.’
Despite the fact that Abramovich listed his Russian children as beneficiaries of the’shell corporations’ that owned the two planes, the US Department of Commerce brought administrative charges against him.
It is seeking a $300,000 fine as well as additional export bans.
The accusations come as the oligarchs face increasing pressure to persuade Putin to cease his war.
Last week, the Treasury Department announced further measures aimed at recouping prizes collected by Putin’s inner circle and their family members, including the seizure of a 324-foot yacht worth at $150 million owned by a state Duma member.
As Russia’s war on Ukraine approaches its 100th day, the government’s sanctions seek to delve further into the Russian president’s financial network.
Five billionaires and elites have been sanctioned, including Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who has publicly criticized the United States.
Sergei Roldugin, the money manager for Putin’s offshore fortune and godfather to one of Putin’s daughters, is also targeted by the penalties.
Roldugin is described by Treasury as Putin’s ‘close friend’ and’middleman.’ He is also a cellist and conductor at the St. Petersburg Music House, which is owned by the state. Elena Yuryevna Mirtova, his wife, is a soprano singer and actor.