Enlarge image
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock: »This food crisis that is brewing in the sky is being exacerbated by the global climate impact«
Photo: IMAGO/Chris Emil Janssen / IMAGO/Chris Emil Janssen
This meeting of the G7 is of "strategic importance," said Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) at the meeting of the foreign ministers of the leading democratic industrial nations in Weißenhäuser Strand on the Baltic Sea.
Russia's "terrible war of aggression, contrary to international law" against Ukraine is "not just a deep crisis for the whole of Europe, but a global" crisis.
Given Ukraine's importance as a grain exporting nation, the war in the country is also having a massive impact on food security around the world.
Baerbock warns of a food crisis, especially in Africa and the Middle East, as a result of the war.
25 million tons of grain are currently blocked in Ukrainian ports - this grain is urgently needed.
“This food crisis that is brewing in the sky is being exacerbated by the global climate impact.” It is now up to the seven richest democracies in the world not to let these countries down.
"That's why we're sending a clear signal today: we see you, we hear you and we support you," said Barbock.
G7: Ukraine to remain a major grain exporter
Ukraine is one of the most important grain suppliers worldwide.
In 2021, according to figures from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, it was still the third largest exporter of barley and fifth largest exporter of wheat.
The G7 group wants to ensure that Ukraine can remain a major grain exporter despite Russia's war of aggression.
Baerbock said that they were jointly discussing how to unblock the grain blockade currently being implemented by Russia and how to bring Ukrainian grain to the world.
Reluctant statement on the demand for fighter jets
Baerbock expressed reservations about the demands of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to supply fighter jets for the defense.
The Green politician referred to the previous attitude to the establishment of no-fly zones.
"We have already clearly positioned ourselves for the delivery of flight materials."
The federal government and NATO are strictly opposed to the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine, as it is feared that enforcing it could lead to a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.
Then there would be a risk that the war in Ukraine would escalate dramatically.
During her visit to Kyiv this Tuesday, she "speaks about how we can support Ukraine, above all in terms of its ability to defend itself, without helping NATO to become a participant in this war," said Baerbock.
Kuleba is scheduled to attend the meeting of G7 foreign ministers this Friday.
ani/dpa/AFP/Reuters