SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- The following is the full text of an op-ed written by Ugo Astuto, ambassador of the European Union to South Korea, on the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global food security.

Russia's War on Ukrainian Trade Is a War on Global Food Security

Attacks on Ukraine's trade routes threaten global food security, the international community must continue to press Russia for a ceasefire and negotiated peace

Op-ed by Ugo ASTUTO, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Korea

In a world where 7.8 percent of the global population faces hunger, the main trade route bringing Ukrainian grain to the global markets is blocked. Russia is choking off Ukraine's options for transport of grain across the Black Sea, the Danube River and overland corridors. Its deliberate attacks on commercial shipping, ports, inland logistics, warehouses and agricultural infrastructure are striking at Ukraine's ability to trade with the world, threatening the food security of millions of people across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

Blockage of the Black Sea will affect global food markets, drive up food prices in many countries and make life harder for millions of people.

The timing could hardly be worse. As Ukraine entered its harvest season in August, attacks on ports and transport routes trapped grain, oilseeds and other agricultural products inside the country. In August, grain exports were cut by half compared to the previous year. International prices have already risen as a result of the attacks.

The problem might become even more acute in the coming months. By October, Ukraine risks running out of storage capacity. By November, more than 9 million tonnes of grain, oilseeds and meals could remain outside available storage. A harvest that contributes to feeding global markets could instead be left stranded. And if grain remains unsold this season, farmers will lack the cash needed for the next sowing campaign, reducing next year's supply and further compounding the crisis.

This matters in a world where an estimated 645 million people face hunger. Disruptions to maritime routes, energy markets, trade flows and humanitarian logistics can reverberate far beyond the immediate conflict zone as the concurrent crisis in the Middle East demonstrates. The most vulnerable countries and communities are the least able to absorb another shock to food prices and supplies.

This is not the first time Russia has sought to weaponize food security. From the beginning of its full-scale war of aggression, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's vital export routes and sought to destroy its ability to reach international markets. Ukraine matters enormously to global food markets. Before the Russian full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine provided 15% of the world's corn exports, 10% of wheat, 15-20% of barley and 50% of sunflower oil.

It has traditionally been a major supplier to countries in North Africa and the Middle East. A strong harvest is again expected this year, with higher yields than in 2025. But a harvest contributes to global food security only if it can reach those who need it.

The global consequences of Russia's illegal war of aggression are once again in plain sight. The international community cannot accept a situation where Ukrainians continue to suffer and in which millions of people far from the battlefield also pay the price.

That is why the European Union(EU) is also stepping up practical support. Since May 2022, the EU Solidarity Lanes have become critical to Ukraine's economic resilience and to provide an important alternative route for Ukrainian grain exports. The EU's current focus is also on providing additional grain storage, developing financial solutions for Ukrainian farmers and coordinating cross-border transport to make the Solidarity Lanes as efficient as possible. But these measures can only mitigate the consequences. They cannot substitute for safe navigation in the Black Sea, which handles 90% of Ukrainian agricultural exports.

A moratorium on attacks against grain export facilities, infrastructure and shipping in the Black Sea is therefore urgently needed. It would help ensure the safe passage of civilian vessels, protect critical infrastructure and restore a vital global trade route. It would also give farmers, exporters and international food markets the predictability they need at the moment.

The international community should not allow access to food to become another weapon of war. Ukraine has demonstrated its readiness for a just and lasting peace, beginning with a full and unconditional ceasefire. Since March 2025, Ukraine has sought such a ceasefire, while Russia has declined to accept any offer and continues its aggression through escalations.

A ceasefire leading to peace is needed to end the daily suffering of Ukrainians, and it is in the interest of everyone who depends on a stable, open and predictable global food system. If Russia ends its war and stops the killing, people around the world stand to benefit, starting with greater food security. Let us help make peace a reality in Ukraine by increasing pressure on Russia to negotiate and bring the war to an end.

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