TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
No Result
View All Result
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

Turkey steals Ukraine’s food from Europe’s plate

Kanika Batra Arora by Kanika Batra Arora
June 9, 2022
in Geopolitics
Turkey steals Ukraine’s food from Europe’s plate

Source: DW News

Share on FacebookShare on X

Russia and Ukraine are known as the “breadbasket of Europe“. Both are significant agricultural players, sending about 12% of all food calories traded globally. They are significant suppliers of basic agro-commodities such as wheat, maize, and sunflower oil, as well as the world’s leading exporters of fertilisers.

For their basic food supply, certain regions rely heavily on imports from these two countries. In North Africa and the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine contribute more than half of all cereal imports, while Eastern African countries import 72 per cent of their cereals from Russia and 18 per cent from Ukraine respectively.

Also Read

Erdogan betrays Putin? Turkey to dump S-400 to get F-35 deal, India comes in for Russia, will take the S-400 instead?

India and Russia further military integration, ready deals for S-400, R-37 missiles and Sukhoi jets

Putin continues his march, now Luhansk announced as 100% liberated region of Russia

These agricultural products were transported via Black Sea ports. Before the conflict, Ukraine used to export 98 per cent of its cereals and oilseeds across the Black Sea, at a rate of up to six million tonnes per month. However, because most of these ports have been taken over by Russia, transporting food grains into Europe and other parts of the world has become extremely difficult.

The Future of EU-Turkey Relations - Atlantic Council
Source: Atlantic Council

Turkey throws cold water on UN’s plans

Against this backdrop, the United Nations recommended a plan to build a marine corridor for Ukrainian exports. Turkey, however, has shattered all of these idealistic dreams. Turkey remarked that it is vital to communicate with both Russia and Ukraine in order to build this route. Turkey has unequivocally stated that Ukrainian exports will not be permitted to pass through its straits, which are part of the UN’s proposed maritime route, without Russian agreement.

This is, without a doubt, a major setback for Europe. The question is, why is Turkey imposing these restrictions? There are two plausible explanations for this:

  1. The Greece factor is one of them.
  2. The other is the admission of Sweden and Finland to NATO.

Let’s start with the ‘Greece factor’. As we all know, the Cyprus issue has been at the heart of numerous previous disputes between Turkey and Greece. In August 2020, for example, when a Turkish and a Greek ship collided, both countries were on the verge of war. The EU, however, had appeared to be split on the issue. Angela Merkel, the former German Chancellor, used all diplomatic means at her disposal to avert more violence. On the other hand, France pushed Greece to be more proactive and supported its maximalist goals. As a result, Turkey may be aiming to win the backing of the entire European Union by putting such a condition on Ukrainian wheat entering Europe.

When it comes to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, the world is aware that Turkey is utterly opposed to their membership request. Turkey claims that Sweden and Finland’s long-standing support for Kurdish “terrorists” jeopardises its national security. Kurdish parties such as the YPG have long sought refuge in European capitals. Turkey also claims that the Nordic countries provide safe havens for the Gulen organisation, which it accuses of being involved in a 2016 coup attempt. As a result, Turkey is likely to exploit the idea of a proposed maritime route as leverage to encourage Europe not to allow both of these nations to join NATO.

Turkey appears to be aware of when and how to strike the appropriate chords. The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seems to have clearly won this game against the European Union.

 

Tags: European UnionRussiarussia ukraine crisisturkeyUkraine
ShareTweetSend
Kanika Batra Arora

Kanika Batra Arora

Associate Editor at TFIGlobal. An artist by god's grace, geopolitics enthusiast, sapiophile.

Also Read

China's Mysterious J-36 Stealth Jet: Rival to US B-2 or Another Military Misfire?

China’s Mysterious J-36 Stealth Jet: Rival to US B-2 or Another Military Misfire?

July 2, 2025
Greece’s Shadow Oil Trade: The Vilamoura Explosion and Russia’s Murky Energy Web

How is Russian Oil Entering Europe Through Greece? “Shadow Fleet”?

July 2, 2025
U.S. Halts Key Weapons Shipments to Ukraine Amid Stockpile Concerns, Shifts Focus to ‘America First’ Defense Priorities

Trump HALTS Key Weapons Shipments to Ukraine Over Stockpile Concerns, Is USA Pulling Back?

July 2, 2025
Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions in a Global Context (Picture Credit: Foundation For Defense of Democracies)

Power or Survival? Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions in a Global Context

July 2, 2025
How UK govt failed to act, as grooming gangs from 4% Pakistanis committed 64% child sexual abuse in Rotherham alone

How UK govt failed to act, as grooming gangs from 4% Pakistanis committed 64% child sexual abuse in Rotherham alone

July 2, 2025
Erdogan betrays Putin? Turkey to dump S-400 to get F-35 deal, India comes in for Russia, will take the S-400 instead?

Erdogan betrays Putin? Turkey to dump S-400 to get F-35 deal, India comes in for Russia, will take the S-400 instead?

July 2, 2025
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobalTFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • TFIPOST – English
  • TFIPOST हिन्दी
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.