Ukraine’s invasion risks causing famine in other countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the Italian parliament on Tuesday, pleading for more assistance to defeat the invaders. Mr. Zelenskiy said via a video link to Western lawmakers that his people were clinging to survival as the Russian military destroyed Ukrainian cities and slaughtered civilians.
“Ukraine is the gates of Europe for Russian troops, where they want to break in, but barbarism must not be allowed to pass,” he said, adding that the war’s consequences were already being felt around the world.
Ukraine President indicated about most dreadful famine
“The most dreadful thing will be the impending famine in some countries. Ukraine has always been a major food exporter, but how can we sow (crops) when Russian artillery is firing at us?” In recent years, countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen, and others have come to rely on Ukrainian wheat, and the war has driven up wheat prices by 50% in the last month.
The war, which is Russia’s largest attack on a European state since World War Two, is being described by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “special military operation” to disarm Ukraine and protect it from “Nazis.” That, according to the West, is a pretext for an unprovoked war of aggression.
In response to Mr. Zelenskiy, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Ukraine had shown “heroic” resistance to the Russian invasion and promised continued humanitarian aid as well as military assistance to refugees fleeing the fighting.
“The Russian government’s arrogance collided with the dignity of the Ukrainian people, who were able to restrain Moscow’s expansionist ambitions and impose a massive cost on the invading army,” Mr. Draghi told parliament. Ukraine has long expressed a desire to strengthen ties with the West by stating its desire to join the European Union.
Draghi told lawmakers that the process would take a long time because of the numerous reforms required to fully integrate with the 27-nation bloc. “I’d like to assure President Zelenskiy that Italy stands by Ukraine in this process. Italy wants Ukraine to become a member of the European Union “Mr. Draghi stated the following.