Zelensky Warns of Global Food Crisis, Urges Faster Sanctions on Russia

President Volodymyr Zelensky urged for immediate US sanctions on Russia amid the increased scale and frequency of attacks across Ukraine, and said Ukrainian citizens will not be left without food despite an ongoing blockade of the Black Sea. The recent diplomatic momentum, led by the US, appears to have produced very little tangible progress. Zelensky detailed the Yalta European Strategy meeting in a statement on Friday, Sept. 11, calling for a step-by-step approach to ending the war – starting with reopening the Black Sea and securing an energy truce.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “The negotiation process must be about ending the war,” Zelensky said, adding that “if Russia doesn’t want to end it, then partners need to find an approach toward it.” He continued: “If that’s difficult to find, then today, at the very least, we need to move forward step by step. Unblock the Black Sea and find a way toward an energy truce.” Black Sea food corridor blocked from both sides As the Black Sea food corridor remains effectively sealed from both sides, according to Zelensky, grain prices could decline for Ukraine particularly due to unreliable and expensive exports. Therefore, resolving the blockade remains an international emergency rather than a bilateral dispute between the two countries in war. “Ukrainians will not be left without food,” Zelensky said. “But beyond Ukraine, other countries will be in a far worse situation.” Other Topics of Interest EU Fails to Extend Russia Sanctions For Second Time France now wants Alisher Usmanov, a Uzbek-Russian businessman, removed from the list, complicating talks just days before the deadline. Despite the issue being repeatedly raised, both countries continue to trade strikes over the Black Sea, significantly complicating logistics by frequently damaging civilian vessels carrying food. Ukraine to return winter strikes Zelensky said Ukraine has developed the ability to respond to Russian strikes, while maintaining that Kyiv does not replicate the scale of destruction Russia inflicts. “I’m not comparing this to the humanitarian catastrophes they are causing today. Ukraine does not do that,” Zelensky said. His comments came as Russia launched a sweeping barrage across Ukraine on Thursday, injuring at least 120 people and killing seven in nationwide attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. He pointed to the possibility of Russia largely targeting Ukraine’s power grid, warning that, this time Moscow would face reciprocal consequences. “If they cause us blackouts, we will try to respond to them in kind,” Zelensky said. Despite the warning, he reiterated that negotiations remain Ukraine’s preferred path toward peace, underscoring the importance of continuing prisoner exchanges and securing the release of Ukrainian civilians, journalists and children held in Russia. “This humanitarian track is very important. We need to move toward a trilateral meeting,” Zelensky concluded. Pressing for immediate US sanctions Zelensky urged Washington to act faster regarding the sanctions, arguing that even an imperfect decision beats continued delay. He said sanctions remain one of the few tools capable of slowing down Russia’s wartime effort, particularly by restricting its ability to fund the war. “Sanctions need to be introduced now. Sanctions must be strong,” Zelensky said. “During a war, it’s better to make an imperfect decision at times than to do nothing at all,” he continued, urging the US Congress to pass a sanctions bill linked to belated Senator Lindsey Graham. His remarks came as the EU failed to extend sanctions on Russia for the second time on Friday, after France joined Slovakia in demanding changes to the list of sanctioned individuals. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.