US sees Russia food blockage as factor in Sri Lanka

Bangkok: United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that Russia's restriction on Ukrainian grain exports may have contributed to Sri Lanka's turmoil and voiced fear it could spur other crises.

"We're seeing the impact of this Russian aggression playing out everywhere. It may have contributed to the situation in Sri Lanka; we're concerned about the implications around the world," Blinken told reporters in Bangkok.

Renewing a demand that he has made repeatedly, Blinken called on Russia to let an estimated 20 million tonnes of grain leave Ukraine, which Moscow invaded in February.

"What we are seeing around the world is growing food insecurity that has been significantly exacerbated by the Russian aggression against Ukraine," he said.

He said there was also an impact in Thailand where fertiliser prices have "gone sky high" due to the blockade.

"That's significant, especially in a vibrant farming country like Thailand, because in the absence of fertiliser, we know that means that next-year yields will go down, prices potentially will go up," Blinken said.

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