Is Putin 'Starving The World'?: Political Scientist Unravels Russia's Strategy In Ukraine

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 has been one of the biggest stories around the world and for the public markets over the last year and a half.

One of the biggest world items affected the most is the food supply, which has seen spikes in prices due to troubles with exports from Russia and Ukraine.

A political scientist breaks down the impact and why Russia may continue disrupting the supply chain.

What Happened: The food industry has been impacted by the war between Russia and Ukraine with the two countries being among the largest producers of wheat and other key ingredients.

Political scientist Ian Bremmer tried his best to answer the question, “Why is Russia trying to starve the world?” in a recent Twitter video.

Bremmer said Russia has done some questionable things during its war with Ukraine, including bombing a nuclear plant.

“Moscow’s latest move may be its cruelest so far,” Bremmer said.

A previous agreed landmark food export deal, which would have seen 33 million tons of food flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, saw Russia pull out.

Soon after pulling out, Russia engaged in strikes against the Port of Odessa, Bremmer said, which destroyed grain stocks.

Together, Russia and Ukraine are among the largest grain exporters, representing around 30% of the global wheat and barley exports and around 20% of all corn exports.

Bremmer said food prices had dropped by 20% after the original agreement that Russia has since backed out of. The war has also seen Ukraine push more of its agricultural exports through non-Black Sea routes, going from 10% before the war to 50% today.

“Why is it in Moscow’s interest to spike global food prices?”

Bremmer said Russian President Vladimir Putin may be growing restless in the war and also could be trying to get countries in Africa such as Ethiopia who have been neutral to take sides in the war.

“Enough, Putin’s saying is enough.”

With Russia’s military hurting and Putin growing restless, Bremmer argued the attempts to hurt the global food supply could just be Russia’s way of advancing the war.

“So what’s a little global starvation Putin may be thinking if it hurts Ukraine too.”

Related Link: Russians' Opinion Of Vladimir Putin, Country Remain Unchanged After Wagner Group Coup 

Why It’s Important: In August, Benzinga reported on the Biden administration looking for ways to help with humanitarian efforts for Africa over food security. The funding came as reports said 40 million people around the world could go hungry due to the war.

French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke out last year about Putin and Russia for using the global food supply as a weapon during the war.

“Food, like energy, have become Russia weapons of war … We must help the African continent to produce more for itself,” Macron said.

In February, President Joe Biden accused Putin of attempting to “starve the world,” during a speech in Warsaw, Poland.

“Putin tried to starve the world, blocking the ports in the Black Sea to stop Ukraine from exporting its grain — exacerbating the global food crisis that hit developing nations in Africa especially hard,” Biden said, as reported by Politico.

The comments were among the most direct aimed at Russia and Putin over the use of the food supply during the war.

Economist Paul Krugman recently attributed a portion of the soaring food prices in America and elsewhere to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Russia may be the only government able to have much impact on world food inflation; we would definitely see some relief if Vladimir Putin called this invasion off (which he won’t),” Krugman said.

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