What's happened
British intelligence reports an increase in Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, damaging grain shipments and threatening global food security. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned these actions, linking them to rising food prices affecting vulnerable populations worldwide. The UK government announced a £2.26 billion loan to Ukraine, funded by frozen Russian assets.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Russia is 'willing to gamble on global food security' as attacks on Ukrainian ports increase. The BBC reported that these strikes have damaged at least four cargo ships, including one carrying 6,000 tonnes of corn. The Mirror highlighted that recent attacks have delayed shipments destined for the World Food Programme, affecting aid to Palestine and southern Africa. The UK government has responded with a significant loan to Ukraine, emphasizing its commitment to support amid rising global food prices.
How we got here
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated since 2022, with Ukraine being a major grain exporter. Recent intelligence indicates that Russia is intensifying its attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure, particularly during the harvest season, impacting global food supplies.
More on these topics
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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The World Food Programme is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.