Russia blocks Odessa port: US general now warns of “high-risk operations”

Created: 04/06/2022, 19:45

By: Bettina Menzel

The US Secretary of Defense and General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after a virtual meeting of the international Ukraine contact group at the Pentagon on May 23.

© picture alliance/dpa/AP |

Alex Brandon

Russia's blockade of the Black Sea could cause a global food crisis.

But the US chief of staff considers a military operation to liberate the port of Odessa to be “highly risky”.

LONDON - Ukraine and Russia are among the world's top grain producers.

Russia's blockade of the Black Sea could trigger a global food crisis as Ukraine can no longer ship its wheat through the port of Odessa.

Food shortages and rising prices have catastrophic consequences - especially for poorer countries.

However, US Chief of Staff Mark Milley considers a military liberation of the port to be highly risky and issues a warning.

Ukraine conflict: Food shortages from Black Sea blockade could hit 1.4 billion people worldwide

Food exports from Ukraine and Russia have collapsed because of the war, the Russian blockade of Black Sea ports and sanctions against Russia.

Ship traffic in the Black Sea is also endangered by mines laid by Ukrainian units to ward off Russian attacks.

Before the Ukraine conflict escalated, most of Ukraine's food exports went through the port of Odessa.

Because of the export ban, more than 20 million tons of food that is urgently needed elsewhere is now in danger of rotting away.

Around 1.4 billion people worldwide could be affected by the resulting food shortages, estimates Amin Awad, the UN crisis coordinator for Ukraine.

That would be about every sixth person on earth.

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Ukraine conflict: military liberation of Odessa port "high-risk option"

US Chief of Staff Mark Milley believes ending the blockade of the port of Odessa by military means is a "high-risk" option.

"Currently the sea routes are blocked by mines and the Russian Navy," Milley said on a visit to London on Tuesday.

"To open up these sea lanes would require a very large military effort by a country or a group of countries." Such an operation would be "a high-risk military operation," the US general stressed.

Russia blames the West for the food crisis and doesn't see itself as responsible.

However, following a meeting with African Union (AU) officials on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined various options for grain exports from Ukraine. UN Coordinator for Ukraine Amin Avad made the statement after negotiations with Russian officials "optimistic".

Putin said the export of Ukrainian grain could happen both through Ukraine's Black Sea ports under Russian control - Mariupol and Berdyansk - and through Odessa.

For that, however, Kyiv would have to clear the mines around the port.

Russia would then give the transport ships safe conduct.

Kyiv is skeptical about Moscow's proposals.

It is not certain that Russia can be trusted.

The question is how to ensure that Russia does not violate the agreement and that its military ships do not sneak into the port and attack Odessa, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (dpa / AFP / bm).