Unblocking Ukrainian grain exports a matter of “life and death for many human beings,” EU’s Borrell says

Resolving Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian grain supplies is a matter of “life and death for many human beings,” EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said Monday.

Russia has to de-block and allow Ukrainian grain to be exported,” Borrell told reporters ahead of a European Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels.

What will they talk about? The meeting will focus on Ukraine. Kyiv’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected to join the meeting and report on the situation on the ground.

Ministers will discuss how to better implement sanctions against Russia and increase military support for Ukraine, Borrell said.

Gas supply: On Wednesday, the EU Commission will discuss gas supply and the bloc’s reliance on Russian energy.

“We are not going to stop supporting Ukraine and putting sanctions on Russia,” Borrell said.

“Certainly there is a risk to our energy supply. Everybody knows (that),” Borrell said.

He added that the EU Commission and Council were prepared to face “any possible situation.”