G-7 foreign ministers blame Russia for food crisis

TOKYO Kyodo Foreign Ministers from the Group of Seven Industrialized nations agreed on Friday that Russia's war in Ukraine, a breadbasket of the world, has caused the current global food crisis.

The ministers cited Moscow's blockade of Ukrainian grain exports via ports on the Black Sea as an increase to food shortages, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters after attending a hybrid format in Germany.

Russia claimed that the food shortages that have caused global food prices to soar have resulted in economic sanctions slapped on Moscow by the G-7 members and other Western countries.

According to Hayashi, some African states believe such a narrative is by Russia.

The food crisis is caused by Russia's aggression in Ukraine, which began in late February, he said.

Hayashi pledged to support efforts by the United Nations and the European Union to help Ukraine resume exporting grain.

The meeting paved the way for a three-day G-7 summit starting Sunday in Schloss Elmau in southern Germany.

The G-7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Friday's session preceded a foreign ministerial meeting of the Group of 20 major economies slated for July 7 and 8 on the Indonesian island of Bali, with the planned participation of the Russian foreign minister.