On the instructions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, who is on a visit to Ukraine.
The main topic of the meeting was the protection of free trade, in particular in the Black Sea region, which is under threat due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
The Head of the President's Office emphasized Russia's deliberate destruction of Ukraine's transport and agricultural infrastructure and the blockade of Ukrainian ports, which Russia is using to disrupt the flow of goods, primarily the supply of Ukrainian agricultural products, and to conduct food blackmail.
"Russia's actions pose a direct threat to food security and violate the freedom of trade, particularly in the Black Sea," emphasized Andriy Yermak.
In this context, he proposed to consider the possibility of involving the World Trade Organization in the implementation of the second point of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, entitled "Food Security."
"Your personal authority and the WTO's influence on international trade can play an important role in the implementation of the food security point of the Peace Formula. This is not only about restoring international law and free trade, but also about stabilizing prices on the world market and access to agricultural supplies for the poorest countries, where Ukraine's influence is very significant," the Head of the Office emphasized.
The parties agreed to make efforts to restore full exports from Ukraine, bolster food security in the world, in particular through the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative, increase the role of the WTO in restoring peace in Ukraine, and overcome poverty and hunger in the world.