Ukraine’s minister wants ASEAN to end Russia’s hunger games

• The UN and Turkey struck an accord in July to allow food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.
• Russia or Ukraine could block its extension on November 19th.
• The UN claims 10 million tons of grain and other commodities have been exported under the pact.

Ukraine’s foreign minister urged ASEAN to stop Russia from conducting “hunger games” over food shipments from Black Sea ports.

The UN and Turkey struck the accord in July to allow food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. Russia or Ukraine could block its extension on November 19th.

The UN claims 10 million tons of grain and other commodities have been exported under the pact. It had earlier warned that Russia’s assault on Ukraine was aggravating a worldwide food crisis and forcing tens of millions more people into starvation.

Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba called on ASEAN members to stop Russia from playing “hunger games” with the world.

Russia’s implementation of the pact should be scrutinized to ensure inspectors aren’t purposely delaying supplies and raising world costs.

“Keeping Russia onboard isn’t enough. It’s also important that Russian inspectors engage in good faith and assess ships without unnecessary delays, he stated from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

He said delayed shipments hurt Africa and Asia.

Kuleba said he talked with ASEAN leaders ways they might support Ukraine and that neutrality and not criticizing Russia was against their interests.

“Doing nothing is a country’s worst option,” he remarked.

Kuleba tweeted a photo of himself shaking hands with Vietnam’s foreign minister, Russia’s closest friend in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam abstained from UN resolutions denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and official media still calls it a “special military operation”

First-time participant in ASEAN and East Asian summits.

Along with nine ASEAN members, leaders from the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Australia are also participating.

Kuleba said Lavrov didn’t request a meeting during the conference, as is customary.

Kuleba said Russia must approach all conversations in good faith.

“There’s no sign Russia wants negotiations,” he added.

“We’ve sat at a table for a good photo,” he said.

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I met with Việt Nam’s Foreign Minister @FMBuiThanhSon on the sidelines of @ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh to discuss strengthening of our bilateral cooperation. We also focused on the Black Sea Grain Initiative and its vital role in ensuring food security in Asia. pic.twitter.com/qCMb9Kr5io

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) November 11, 2022

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