The G7 group wants Russia to renew the agreement allowing the safe passage of grain shipments from Ukraine, a senior US State Department official said this Friday, as part of a meeting of the world’s foreign ministers. leading industrialized democracies, taking place in Germany.
“Everyone agreed that the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea should be extended,” said the same source.
G7 diplomacy leaders are in the German city of Münster for two days of talks, with the war in Ukraine high on the agenda.
The G7 “appreciates the UN’s efforts to convince Russia to extend the grain deal,” the US official said.
Grain shipments from Ukraine resumed on Thursday after Russia rejoined the agreement allowing the safe passage of grain under international pressure.
“Hunger should not be used as a weapon,” Scholz said.
However, Moscow said it had yet to decide whether to extend the grain deal beyond Nov. 19 — the date for a written extension to the original agreement brokered by the UN and Turkey to avert a global food emergency.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who visited China, also called for the agreement to be extended.
“Hunger should not be used as a weapon,” Scholz said Friday.
The G7 accused Russia on Thursday of systematically destroying civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. “They agreed that there should be some kind of mechanism coordinated by the G7 to help Ukraine recover, defend and restore its energy and water infrastructure,” the US official said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attended the meeting and “gave an update on the devastating attacks… on civilians, energy and water facilities,” the official said.
The G7 promised on Thursday a winter aid package, including generators, stoves, containers, beds and blankets.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Russia has “chosen a new method of warfare by trying to make people die of hunger, thirst and frostbite”.
Source: DN
