US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Sunday that Russia’s restrictions on Ukrainian grain exports may have contributed to unrest in Sri Lanka and expressed concern that it could trigger another crisis.
“We see the consequences of this Russian aggression everywhere. It may have contributed to the situation in Sri Lanka and we are concerned about the consequences around the world,” Blinken told reporters in Hong Kong.
The US Secretary of State again demanded that Moscow withdraw about 20 million tons of grain from Ukraine, as a result of the embargo on the country since the start of Russian military operations in the country on February 24.
“What we’re seeing around the world is an increase in food insecurity, which has been dramatically exacerbated by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine,” Blinken said.
He noted that the fallout from the war in Ukraine also affected Thailand, where fertilizer prices recorded a sharp increase due to the blockade of Ukrainian ports.
“This is especially important in a critical agricultural country like Thailand, because in the absence of fertilizer, we know that next year’s crops will be reduced and prices may increase,” Blinken said.
Protesters in Sri Lanka stormed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence on Saturday, as tens of thousands of people vented their anger against a leader they blame for the worst crisis in the capital, Colombo, in the largest demonstration ever. They know economics. To hit the country
Source: Lebanon Debate
