In its warfare, Russia is also targeting Ukraine’s agriculture. It’s “unscrupulous,” says German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir.
Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir has sharply condemned Russia’s targeted attacks on agriculture during the war in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin unscrupulously uses Ukraine’s wheat reserves, said the Green politician.
Farmers would be forced to sell reserves at ridiculous prices – or “Putin’s soldiery” would simply take the stocks. “By the way, there are three words for this in the rule of law: extortion, theft and robbery.”
Özdemir said he had received disturbing reports from eastern Ukraine that exposed Putin’s imperialist plans. “In the occupied territories, economic structures are apparently being increasingly adapted to Russian regulations.” Farmers would therefore have to submit declarations of ownership and would be forced to register under Russian law. At the same time, Putin is allowing railway facilities to be bombed in a targeted manner to the west in order to finally cut off Ukrainian grain supplies from the world markets.
Özdemir said he sees it as an international joint task to help create alternative, efficient transport routes. “For me, Ukraine’s right to free access to world markets is just as non-negotiable as its sovereignty.”
The situation is to be discussed during the German G7 Presidency at a meeting of agriculture ministers in Stuttgart next week. Özdemir said he also wanted to come to a common understanding that one crisis cannot be solved by fueling the other. “The climate crisis and species extinction don’t pause just because Putin invades Ukraine.” Climate protection, food security and peace should be the new triad.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
