WORLD NEWS

‘If you have any heart at all.’ UN official warns Putin millions will die if Ukraine’s ports remain blocked

May 12, 2022, 5:31 PM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 3:15 pm

A serviceman walks in the border base in front of Ukraine's Black Sea port of Mariupol on February ...

A serviceman walks in the border base in front of Ukraine's Black Sea port of Mariupol on February 11, 2022. - Russia has sent six additional warships into the region for a week of naval drills involving dozens of big navy ships starting this weekend. (Photo by Aleksey Filippov / AFP) (Photo by ALEKSEY FILIPPOV/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by ALEKSEY FILIPPOV/AFP via Getty Images)

(CNN) — David Beasley, head of the United Nations World Food Programme, is pleading with Russian President Vladimir Putin to reopen Ukraine’s Black Sea ports before global calamity strikes.

“Millions of people around the world will die because these ports are being blocked,” Beasley told CNN during a conference on Thursday.

Asked what he would say directly to Putin, the UN official said: “If you have any heart at all for the rest of the world, regardless of how you feel about Ukraine, you need to open up those ports.”

Vital shipments of agriculture from Ukraine, known as the breadbasket of the world, are stuck in the war-torn nation because the port of Odessa and neighboring ports have been blocked by Russian officials.

 

Ukraine’s economy faces collapse

 

Beasley, a former Republican governor of South Carolina, warned that the ports must be operational within the next 60 days or Ukraine’s agriculture-centric economy will implode.

“If you don’t get this port issue resolved and open, Ukraine’s economy completely collapses,” Beasley said at the SABEW conference in New York. “It becomes landlocked like Moldova. The ports are critical.”

Ukraine is among the top five global exporters for a variety of key agricultural products, including corn, wheat and barley, according to the US Department of Agriculture. It’s also the leading exporter of both sunflower oil and meal. In 2021, agriculture products accounted for 41% of Ukraine’s total exports.

President Joe Biden addressed the global food supply shock set off by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, noting that an estimated 20 million tons of grain are stuck in silos there.

“Guess what?” Biden said while visiting a farm in Illinois Wednesday. “If those tons don’t get to market, an awful lot of people in Africa are going to starve to death because they are the sole supplier of a number of African countries.”

 

Weaponizing food and energy?

 

After Russia vowed to impose sanctions on 31 foreign energy companies Wednesday, a top official in Germany Thursday accused Russia of using energy as a “weapon.”

Asked if Russia is similarly weaponizing food, the UN’s Beasley said that would be the case if the ports are not swiftly reopened. “Two plus two is four,” he said.

But unblocking the ports won’t be easy. Not only are they defended by mines and battleships, Beasley said Ukraine’s military is concerned that reopening them will allow Russia to pull a “quick move” and invade Ukraine through its ports.

While emphasizing that he’s the “humanitarian guy,” the UN official called for an “understanding” within the international community that they will do “what’s necessary to protect” the ports from being “invaded.”

“World leaders have got to put pressure on Russia in such a way that we can have absolute neutrality to move supplies in and out of Odessa,” Beasley said.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

KSL 5 TV Live

World News

A group marches on a sidewalk...

Mike Anderson

Utah State University Gaza protest aims to build awareness

A relatively small protest for a free Palestine was organized by students at Utah State University to try and build awareness during commencement ceremonies.

14 hours ago

signs to free Palestine at the University of Utah...

Dan Rascon

Public defender and U law grad arrested in Pro-Palestinian protest

A pro-Palestinian protester, Hannah Sakalla, was arrested at the University of Utah campus. Despite the discomfort and injuries she endured during her arrest, Sakalla expressed no regrets for her actions.

1 day ago

protesters gather...

Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com

Second day of Gaza protest on U. campus moves to Salt Lake County Jail after organizer’s arrest

Protesters have moved to the Salt Lake County Jail after an organizer was arrested on Tuesday.

1 day ago

King Charles III smiles as he leaves St. George's Chapel in Windsor on Easter  morning. (Getty Imag...

Danica Kirka, The Associated Press

Britain’s King Charles III will resume public duties next week after cancer treatment, palace says

The 75-year-old monarch will resume some public duties next week following a three-month break to focus on his treatment and recuperation after he was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer, Buckingham Palace said Friday.

4 days ago

On April 27, Hamas published a video of two hostages, American-Israeli Keith Siegel and Israeli Omr...

Lauren Izso and Eyad Kourdi, CNN

American-Israeli hostage appears in Hamas video for first time

Hamas on Saturday published a video of two hostages, American-Israeli Keith Siegel and Israeli Omri Miran.

5 days ago

FILE - Israeli troops move near the Gaza Strip border in southern Israel, Monday, March 4, 2024. Th...

Associated Press

Hamas official says group would lay down its arms if an independent Palestinian state is established

A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel with certain conditions.

7 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Side view at diverse group of children sitting in row at school classroom and using laptops...

PC Laptops

5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Read these tips about internet safety for kids so that your children can use this tool for learning and discovery in positive ways.

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

‘If you have any heart at all.’ UN official warns Putin millions will die if Ukraine’s ports remain blocked