Ukraine war: Russia blames the West for grain exports being blocked

Russia has pointed the finger at actions by the West for grain exports from Ukraine being blocked.

The blockade, combined with the shortage of overland shipping routes, means that significant supplies of grain remain in storage and cannot be exported.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: "We categorically do not accept these accusations. On the
contrary, we blame Western countries of taking actions that have led to this."

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has accused Vladimir Putin of seeking to "hold the world to ransom" through Russia's blockade of Ukrainian grain exports.

British military authorities say Ukraine's overland export routes are "highly unlikely" to offset the problems caused by Russia's blockade of the Black Sea port of Odesa, putting further pressure on global grain prices.

Russia and Ukraine account for nearly a third of global wheat supplies and the lack of exports from Ukraine is
contributing to a growing global food crisis.