Germany has called on Russia to lift the grain blockade due to the threat of famine

Following talks at the Vatican, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful called for increased international pressure on Russia to end the blockade of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea. The diplomat emphasized that time is running out and famine is looming worldwide, and that the grain could spoil before it even reaches buyers.

During meetings with the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal P’Petr Parolin, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the German foreign minister called on Europe and the countries of the Global South to raise the issue of the blockade more actively. 

Vatican representative Gallagher supported this initiative and promised to raise the issue of resuming exports during negotiations with the Russian side.

Source: DPA.

India has proposed its own plan for the first time to help resolve the situation in the Black Sea. According to Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, Ukraine currently has four proposals from international partners—India, Turkey, Egypt, and the United States. Kyiv is ready for an energy and Black Sea ceasefire but wants these two tracks to be linked.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected proposals for a mutual cessation of strikes on energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine. He also did not support the idea of halting strikes on ships in the Black Sea in exchange for stopping attacks on Russian oil refineries.