Putin Aims To Trigger Migration To Europe Through Food Crisis - FM Sybiha

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha made this statement on the social media platform X, according to Ukrinform.

The minister noted that Russian terror is not limited to Ukraine-it also threatens countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Vulnerable families in countries dependent on food imports will be the first to feel the consequences of Moscow's actions-due to rising food prices and shortages, which will lead to malnutrition and hunger.

“Beyond this humanitarian toll, Moscow is pursuing a further goal: destabilizing Europe. Putin is betting that hunger and food shortages can cause an influx of migrants. That is precisely what he aims for, particularly ahead of elections in EU member states next year,” Sybiha said.

According to him, Putin knows that migration is one of the most sensitive and controversial issues in European election campaigns, especially after seeing how effectively networks linked to Russia exploited the recent crisis in Ceut.

In this context, the foreign minister predicted that the Kremlin dictator will use every available method to increase migration to Europe, and the blockade of the Black Sea is just one of them. In addition, Lukashenko's regime in Belarus is also involved: Lithuania recently discovered several new underground tunnels dug from Belarusian territory to smuggle migrants across the border.

“Moscow believes its strategy will create tension, sow division, strengthen radical anti-European movements, and ultimately weaken Europe's support for Ukraine. That is why supporting Ukraine's agricultural exports and unblocking freedom of navigation in the Black Sea are of strategic and existential value for the European Union, as well as the wider international community,” Sybiha emphasized.

He called for urgent action, specifically to ensure uninterrupted commercial shipping from Ukrainian seaports, to develop all possible alternative routes and mechanisms for transporting goods through the EU, and to provide maximum support to Ukrainian farmers in this difficult situation.

Read also: Black Sea blockade could trigger global food crisis - Zelensky

The minister identified the development and joint implementation of a pan-European strategy to counter Russian disinformation, interference, and manipulation campaigns as another critically important priority.

“Ukraine stands ready to contribute its valuable expertise,” the foreign minister assured.

As reported by Ukrinform, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Turkey has recently stepped up its diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement on the situation in the Black Se and is holding talks with the parties involved in an attempt to reconcile their positions.

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