US challenges world to tell Russia to stop using Ukrainian grain as 'blackmail'

UNITED NATIONS - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken challenged all countries Thursday to tell Russia to stop using the Black Sea and Ukraine's grain as ''blackmail'' and stop treating the world's hungry and vulnerable people as leverage in its ''unconscionable war.''

America's top diplomat lashed out at Russia at a U.N. Security Council meeting for ignoring the world's appeals and pulling out of the year-old deal that allowed Ukraine to ship more than 32 tons of grain from Black Sea ports to needy countries.

''And what has Russia's response been to the world's distress and outrage? Bombing Ukrainian granaries, mining port entrances, threatening to attack any vessel in the Black Sea,'' he said.

https://www.startribune.com/us-challenges-world-to-tell-russia-to-stop-using-ukrainian-grain-as-blackmail/600294595/