Ukraine-Russia Blockade Chokes Global Grain Exports

The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to a severe disruption in global grain supplies. Cormac Smith, an expert from EA, joined Pakistan TV's Sana Maqbool to discuss the impact of the Black Sea blockades on wheat exports. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is causing chaos in the region, with both sides controlling nearly 35% of the world's wheat exports.

Ukraine has taken measures to counter Russia's invasion by damaging or destroying over 200 Russian vessels this summer. However, Russia has retaliated by attacking Ukrainian ports and shipping, including foreign-flagged vessels, to prevent exports from areas such as Odesa. This has significant consequences for countries in Africa and the Middle East that rely heavily on these imports.

Cormac Smith emphasizes that the root cause of this crisis is Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. He points out that Russia could end the conflict immediately by withdrawing its troops, but instead, it continues to block grain exports, affecting some of the poorest people on earth.