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On 22 September 2026 in New York, during the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, participated in a high-level event organised by the Delegation of the European Union to the UN, Ukraine, France and Romania “Global Food Security and the Black Sea – the Need for a Moratorium on Attacks to Allow Grain Exports”. The event was opened with a speech by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The event focused on the global consequences of Russia’s attacks on Black Sea port infrastructure, civilian shipping and Ukrainian grain exports, as well as the need to secure international support for a moratorium on attacks and for safe commercial shipping.
“Russia is waging war against global food security. It is attacking international civilian vessels, Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure, World Food Programme aid distribution sites and transport vehicles, as well as Ukrainian crop fields. Farmers and civilian sailors have become new targets of Russian attacks. Food and freedom of navigation must not become instruments of war,” said Baiba Braže.
The consequences of Russia’s attacks extend far beyond Ukraine. Ukraine is one of the most important food suppliers to the global market, particularly to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Disruptions to Black Sea shipping routes drive up export costs, increase pressure on food prices and intensify food insecurity, particularly in countries that depend on food imports and have more limited capacity to absorb new price and supply shocks.
“These attacks must stop. Latvia calls for an immediate end to attacks on international civilian vessels and Ukraine’s port infrastructure in the Black Sea. We support an immediate moratorium on attacks and safe navigation for commercial vessels,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasised.
Baiba Braže also noted that grain stolen from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine must not enter international supply chains. Latvia is working to strengthen checks on the origin of grain and supports closer international monitoring.
“Joint and sustained international action is needed – we must ensure safe navigation, protect global food supply chains and maintain pressure on Russia,” the Minister said.
In conclusion, Baiba Braže reiterated Latvia’s call for an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire.
Background information
The High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly is taking place in New York on 21–25 September.
