Moscow uses food as weapon, Polish deputy FM tells UN

Russia has deliberately orchestrated a food crisis as part of its "economic aggression against the Global South," while seeking to protract its war against Ukraine at any cost, a Polish deputy foreign minister has told a UN gathering.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wojciech Gerwel.

Photo: PAP/Rafał Guz

Addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting on Thursday, Wojciech Gerwel accused Moscow of political hypocrisy and cynicism in using food as a weapon as part of its invasion of Ukraine.

At today’s 🇺🇳 Security Council debate on conflict-induced global food insecurity 🇵🇱 Deputy FM Wojciech Gerwel 💬: hunger should not be a weapon of war, global food supply chains cannot be taken hostage by aggressors. We👏🇺🇸 Presidency for convening this meeting, just on time! pic.twitter.com/48LAaVxllF

— Poland in the UN (@PLinUN) August 3, 2023

The UN Security Council meeting was centered around the famine and food insecurity caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to officials.

It was a long day in NYC for 🇵🇱 DFM @WojciechGerwel! Friendly exchange on humanitarian issues with @RESCUEorg CEO @DMiliband, impromptu consultations with @MegiFi, DFM of Albania🇦🇱 and briefing with the @PLinUN staff on #UNGA, #SDGSummit and 🇵🇱 #PLinECOSOC. All that besides UNSC. pic.twitter.com/4ctaImUr1P

— Poland in the UN (@PLinUN) August 4, 2023

Radio Poland’s Michał Owczarek has the story.

Click on the audio player above to listen.