“The European Union must prepare for new waves of refugees caused by a food crisis exacerbated by the war in Ukraine,” warned Aya Kelnaya, director of the European Union Border Agency (Frontex).

In statements to journalists upon her arrival at a meeting of EU interior ministers in Prague, she noted that “the European Union is well prepared for refugees from Ukraine”, explaining that “at the same time, we must prepare for refugees from other countries.” regions due to food insecurity. “You know that wheat cannot be imported from Ukraine. This will lead to waves of migration. We are getting ready,” she added.

The production of Ukraine, which is one of the largest grain exporters in the world, has been halted due to a Russian military attack on it. About 20 million tons of grain from last year’s harvest is still stuck in Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea.

The situation has led to rising prices on world markets and a food crisis that threatens Ukraine’s main consumers, especially countries in Africa and the Middle East.

In turn, Moscow has confirmed that it will allow Ukrainian food ships to sail if the Ukrainian army removes mines from its ports, which is rejected by Kyiv, which fears for the safety of its coast on the Black Sea.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned in June that “without a response to the food crisis, the world record of 100 million displaced people will increase.”

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson noted that “migrant flows between Ukraine and the EU have returned to pre-war levels” and said that “many Ukrainians in the EU will decide on a possible return to their homeland.” country before the start of the school year.