Samantha Power, head of the United States Agency for International Development, outlined Washington’s efforts to stop Ukrainian grain from being displaced in global markets by Russian supplies. The comments appeared in an interview published by Foreign Policy magazine.
Power noted that Russia, which has shown solid harvest performance in recent months and through 2022, is attempting to fill the market gap created by its exit from the grain agreement. The goal, she argued, is to profit from the disruption and to position Russia as a leading supplier at the expense of Ukraine and its farmers in the long term.
Washington’s response, Power indicated, is to prevent this outcome and to safeguard stable access to Ukrainian grain for global buyers. She warned that Russia’s plan to supply free or low-cost grain to some African nations could destabilize those markets and undermine price discipline in the region.
Following the expiration of the grain accord, the United States and its allies have pursued alternative routes to move Ukrainian grain, Power said. She claimed these routes have seen dramatic growth, with an 800% increase since July through rivers, roads, and rail networks. This shift is described as a broader effort to maintain food security by diversifying delivery channels and reducing reliance on any single corridor.
President Vladimir Putin later stated that Russia is prepared to offer Ukrainian grain to needy countries, whether through commercial arrangements or as assistance. The declaration was framed as part of a broader effort to reconfigure grain diplomacy in the wake of the agreement’s end.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister and other officials have stressed that Russia should not be allowed to orchestrate a system that could destabilize global food markets. They emphasize the importance of keeping Ukrainian grain flowing to the world, highlighting the resilience of Ukrainian farmers and the country’s ability to meet demand despite unprecedented pressure.