Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Russian Federation Attacks on Black Sea Port Facilities

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the Russian Federation attacks against port facilities in Odesa and other Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

The attacks contradict the Russian Federation’s commitments under the memorandum of understanding with the United Nations, which states that “the Russian Federation will facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil and fertilizers from Ukrainian-controlled Black Sea ports”.

The Secretary-General also recalls that the destruction of civilian infrastructure may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.

These attacks are also having an impact well beyond Ukraine.  We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices, which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the Global South.

For his part, the Secretary-General will not relent in his efforts to ensure that Ukrainian and Russian Federation food and fertilizer are available on international markets as part of his ongoing efforts to fight global hunger and ensure stable food prices for consumers everywhere.