Zelensky on the Grain from Ukraine program: It has saved 20 million people.

During the operation of the Grain from Ukraine program, 20 million people have been saved from hunger. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky at the 3rd International Conference on Food Security Grain from Ukraine on Saturday, November 23.

"In total, during the operation of Grain From Ukraine - our Grain from Ukraine program - we have saved 20 million people from hunger. And this is solely due to our humanitarian program. Overall, Ukrainian food exports support 400 million people in 100 countries around the world," the head of state said.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is one of the largest global donors of food security.

The president reminded that the full-scale Russian invasion began, in particular, with the blockade of Ukrainian ports by the Russian fleet.

"And Russia was very well aware of the consequences of this. They wanted these consequences, undoubtedly a horrific outcome for the entire world – not just for Ukraine. They aimed for food prices to rise globally," Zelensky stated.

In his opinion, Russia's intentions are not merely about wanting higher profits, but primarily about power: "If they can create a food catastrophe, it means they can subjugate a population that relies on food imports - any food."

Zelensky noted that only during the operation of the food export corridor in the Black Sea - from July 2023 to November this year - 321 infrastructure facilities at Ukrainian ports were damaged by Russian missile strikes and Iranian drones. More than 20 foreign civilian vessels were also damaged. Over 60 targeted strikes have been carried out by Russians specifically on food infrastructure.

"This war against Ukraine has shown that there are no countries in the world that are truly distant from each other. Everything in the world is now very interconnected. There is no distance," the president said.

Let us remind you that Ukraine has proposed to create a food hub in Oman to facilitate the entry of Ukrainian products into the markets of Eastern African countries.