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U.S. Permanent Representative to UN Food Agencies: "We have to demand Russia to unblock the ports"

Cindy McCain, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Food Agencies in Rome

11 May 2022 10:48 (UTC +04:00)

"We have to demand of Russia is to unblock the ports," said U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Food Agencies in Rome, Ambassador Cindy McCain at an online press briefing for foreign journalists, APA reports.

"They can no longer continue what they’re doing. It’s – in my opinion, and this is my opinion, but I think it borders on war crimes the things that they’re doing with regards to food and food access and using food as a weapon, more importantly. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing. And as you know, it’s causing a huge domino effect around the world. Food – it starts there and then, of course, it ripples all around the world. And once again, it’s the most vulnerable".

Diplomat said countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, Ethiopia, and some other smaller countries that are really struggling right nowç should not be forgotten. "They’re – unfortunately, they’ve taken a back burner to the Ukraine crisis because that’s front and center right now. But let me tell you, that’s why it’s so important to donate to organizations like World Food Program, because it’s – it will strengthen their ability to feed everyone, not just the squeaky wheel which is Ukraine right now.

So it’s tough – we’re in a very tough situation, and Europe has always been very generous, but we’re – we all have to work together to do more."