Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba focuses on the global ripple effects on the energy and food crises of the war in Ukraine during meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, according to reports. UN diplomats familiar with the subject.
Kuleba is doing so with a specific goal in mind: to try to maintain solidarity among nations that support Ukraine by acknowledging the impacts the war is having on their country, the diplomats said.
While the devastation in Ukraine is immense, Ukrainian government officials believe that highlighting the impact of the war outside Ukraine’s borders is most likely to spark continued support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian aggression.
The food crisis is a central ripple effect being felt globally, and Ukrainians are pushing for the current grain deal to be maintained and extended, diplomats said.
Kuleba also plans to privately shame leaders of countries that get cheap oil from Russia, saying they profit from Ukraine’s victimization, a diplomat said.
Meanwhile, U.S. and European officials are confident this week will fuel continued support for Ukraine, U.S. and European officials said.
There are a few factors that contribute to this expectation. First, Ukraine’s gains on the battlefield have lifted the tide because it would not be good for countries to give up supporting Ukraine as they succeed. Second, comments from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian President Narendra Modi last week give further impetus to toeing the line in terms of support for Ukraine, officials said.
A bit of context: Modi last week told Putin that ‘today’s era is not one of war’ – a significant rebuke from a leader who has remained largely silent on the conflict during its more than six months.
During a meeting with the Chinese leader on Thursday, Putin acknowledged Xi’s “questions and concerns” about the war.
