The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, visited the Ukrainian port of Odesa in the south of the country on Friday, August 19, 2022, where he warned of an impending famine if grain exports are not secured.

The UN official emphasized the need to ensure the flow of grain exports, which recently resumed under an agreement mediated by the United Nations, with the aim of alleviating a worsening global food crisis.

He also confirmed that there is still much effort that must be made to ensure full global access to Ukrainian and Russian food products and fertilizers alike.

He further explained that developing countries need assistance to purchase such grains, calling for allowing Russian crops, and fertilizers that are not subject to sanctions, to reach global markets without obstacles.

He warned of a famine looming in 2023 due to the ban on fertilizer exports. Additionally, he warned Russia against disconnecting the Zaporizhzhia plant from the Ukrainian power grid.