Putin 'holding world to ransom' in grain export blockade, warns Truss

VLADIMIR Putin is "weaponising hunger" around the world through Russia's "appalling" blockade of Ukrainian grain exports, Liz Truss has warned.

- Martyn Brown

The Foreign Secretary accused the despot of "holding the world to ransom" by stopping much-needed supplies from leaving the country.

And she rejected a demand by the Russian president to lift international sanctions on his country in return for opening a humanitarian corridor through the Black Sea port of Odesa.

Around 22 million tonnes of grain are reportedly stuck in Ukraine - one of the world's biggest wheat producers due to Russia's naval blockade.

Speaking on a visit to Bosnia Herzegovina, Ms Truss said: "It is completely appalling that Putin is trying to hold the world to ransom.

"He is essentially weaponising hunger and lack of food among the poorest people around the world.

"We simply cannot allow this to happen. Putin needs to remove the blockade on Ukrainian grain."

Appeasement