Pope Francis urges Russia to rejoin Black Sea grain initiative amidst rising wheat prices.
Pope Francis urges Russia to rejoin Black Sea grain initiative amidst rising wheat prices.
Pope Francis Urges Russia to Rejoin Black Sea Grain Deal
Pope Francis delivered a heartfelt plea on Sunday, calling on the Russian authorities to resume their participation in the Black Sea grain deal. This appeal comes as fears of a global food security crisis surge due to escalating wheat prices caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Moscow unexpectedly withdrew from the UN-brokered agreement, causing concerns over the safety of grain exports and potential disruptions to the global food market. To compound matters, Russia subsequently initiated bombings at ports and issued threats against any ships bound for Ukrainian waters, suspecting weapons to be concealed on board.
During his weekly Angelus message, addressing Roman Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis urged the Russian authorities to reinstate their commitment to the Black Sea initiative. He prayed for Ukraine, describing it as a place where war is not only destroying lives but also endangering the nation’s vital grain production. He emphasized the cry of millions of hungry brothers and sisters whose plight reaches the heavens.
The impact of Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal has reverberated throughout the market. Benchmark wheat prices registered their most significant one-day surge in over a decade following Russia’s decision. Although they have since receded slightly, data from the Chicago Board of Trade reveals a nearly 5% increase in wheat prices over the past two weeks. Conversely, corn and soybean prices have also experienced upward movement since the Kremlin’s announcement.
The repercussions of this withdrawal have not gone unnoticed by global policymakers. Leaders such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the EU’s head of foreign policy Josep Borrell have strongly condemned Russia’s economic assault on the West and warned about the far-reaching consequences for poorer nations that rely on grain imports. Guterres characterized the collapse of the grain agreement as a vital loss for global food security, extinguishing a beacon of hope. Meanwhile, Borrell expressed grave concern about the potential for a profound food crisis on a global scale.
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In reflection, Pope Francis, along with other influential policymakers, passionately pleads with Russia to once again join the Black Sea grain deal. The stakes are high, as the world anxiously watches wheat prices surge and fears of a global food crisis escalate. This situation underscores the crucial role of international cooperation and the importance of safeguarding food security for all nations.
