War for bread and people's minds: how russian propaganda blames EU and Ukraine for famine
A typical russian propaganda and manipulation narrative at the moment is to accuse Ukraine and the EU of provoking famine in the world, particularly in Africa. We analyze this fake — how it works, why now, and how to fight it.
For almost 140 days, Ukraine has been fighting the unjustified full-scale war of the russian federation, and the whole world is feeling the consequences of this aggression.
One of the most painful consequences for the world is the risk of famine and the increase in food prices. The reason for it is the lack of goods from Ukraine due to the blockade of ports and sea routes by the russian federation. Instead, the kremlin tries to blame the West, saying that because of sanctions, the ports are blocked, and in particular, grain cannot be delivered.
How russia blames Ukraine and the EU
According to the Center for Combating Disinformation, pro-kremlin mass media accused Ukraine of increasing the number of people suffering from hunger worldwide, particularly in Africa. russia's UN representatives openly stated back in May that it was Ukraine blocking agricultural products' export. In general, nothing unexpected was heard, except what was interesting: what is Ukraine's benefit? The idea of not getting paid for exporting goods at a time when the economy will fall by about 40% does not look very convincing, though the imagination of russian propagandists is rich, and they get paid for it.
Obviously, russia will try to whiten the remnants of its own reputation among those countries that are publicly almost silent about the war. These are primarily the South American and African countries. If we talk specifically about African states, then Western leaders appealed to them to introduce sanctions for a reason, namely so that they do not end up in the field of russian propaganda and, therefore, in russia's sphere of influence. The West is also solving its problems, but we must be aware of where our interests especially intertwine. It has come to the point that Josep Borrell, on behalf of the EU, sent a letter to African colleagues, once again explaining that the EU sanctions had nothing to do with the fact that 20 tons of grain were blocked in the ports. At the end of May, putin mentioned in a conversation with one of the European leaders that they were ready to unblock the ports if the sanctions were reduced.
That is why the leaders of the EU countries are concerned about the fact that russia is spreading the narrative that the European Union was allegedly involved in the growing food crisis due to such activity of russian propagandists. Such a message is predicted to be directed to the EU countries' citizens so that they put pressure on their governments, demanding to weaken or cancel the sanctions against the russian federation.
Why it won't work
Of course, it is unlikely to happen because the sanctions were imposed for full-scale aggression against Ukraine, and none of the EU leaders have any doubts about who started it. In particular, at the European Council's last meeting, the leaders of the member states clearly confirmed that it was russia responsible for turning food into a weapon and also called for unblocking the ports, in particular Odesa.
If Ukraine was doing it, why now? Why on the 8th year of armed aggression and annexation of Crimea? Of course, russians don't particularly ask this question, especially when many Western companies have left russia. They don't even have enough chips for bank cards, let alone critical thinking.
Who in their sane mind would believe that someone other than russia is capable of attacking grain terminals, in particular in the Mykolayiv region. Ukraine is losing profits, and according to the russians' logic, it is still to blame for blocking the ports. The EU was not the only one. The USA also clearly emphasized through the spokesperson of the State Department that no restrictive measures were aimed at countering the trade in food or medicine or any other fabrications of russian propaganda.
Moreover, Ukraine, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has publicly emphasized that it was ready to develop a mechanism that would ensure the functioning of sea routes for Ukraine's agricultural products export.
It is obvious that russia's willingness to unblock ports under certain conditions creates security risks for Ukraine. They have not yet refused to seize Odesa, a key city in southern Ukraine. That is why Ukraine does not respond to such calls because official Kyiv does not trade in people.
It is even more interesting that russia even offered the possibility of inspecting Ukrainian ships with grain. Therefore, with one hand, the aggressor attacks and mines the ports, and with the other, offers to negotiate, which only confirms his guilt.
Why is russia manipulating this now?
Unfortunately, we have to state that russia is trying to divert attention from the offensive in Donbas and constant attacks to the south and east and to shift the blame for blocking the ports to other states. putin recently stated in general that russia has apparently "not started anything" yet. After all, when the death of thousands is just a statistic for a person, for him, it is nothing. The only problem for him is that over time the world will believe the killers less and less. Sanctions continue to apply, so nothing good is expected for the russians despite the statements of the authoritarian regime and its henchmen.
The main thing for Ukraine now is to continue strengthening the defense and emphasizing the need for the weapons supply, equipment, training of our military, the provision of loans to compensate for losses in the budget, and the introduction of new sanctions against russia. Thus, russian propaganda will have no chance of winning. Therefore there will be no chance of russia winning the war.
