EU High Representative Josep Borrell warned that Russia’s war against Ukraine was aggravating the global food crisis and said restoring Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea was an urgent priority.

In his June 18, 2022 commentary for the European External Action Service, Borrell argued that Russian attacks on agricultural infrastructure and the blockade of Ukrainian ports were constraining supplies and driving up food costs, particularly for vulnerable countries.

He rejected claims that EU sanctions were responsible for the crisis, saying they did not target Russian grain and fertiliser exports. He also called for steps to reduce unintended effects on food trade.

The EU’s Solidarity Lanes initiative was intended to provide alternative routes for Ukrainian exports, but Borrell said those routes could not fully replace maritime shipments in the short term. He urged coordinated international action, emergency relief and support for sustainable food systems alongside efforts to end Russian aggression.

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