At G-20, EU calls on Russia to allow Ukrainian grain shipments to global markets via Black Sea

The European Commission on Saturday called on Russia to allow grain shipments from Ukraine to global markets via the Black Sea.

"Climate change is a global threat. And a contributing factor to food insecurity. Food security is also a victim of Russia's aggression in Ukraine," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday, while speaking at the first session, ‘One Earth', of the G-20 summit in New Delhi.

"We call on Russia to allow the grain from Ukraine to reach global markets via the Black Sea. We are doing our utmost to facilitate the grain to reach global markets via the land route," she said.

"No one should go hungry and the leaders of the G20 have the responsibility and the tools to enable the flow of grain to where it is needed," von der Leyen said.

She said that in the next five years alone, the European Commission will invest at least €4 billion ($4.3 billion) in renewable energy and hydrogen in developing economies through the Global Gateway plan.

The EU President also said she also invited the G-20 leaders to join the call "for global carbon pricing."

Earlier, proposing the G-20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the inaugural G-20 Summit session that the "need of the hour" is that all countries should work together in the field of fuel blending.

"Our proposal is to take an initiative at a global level to take ethanol blending in petrol up to 20% ...In this context, today, we are launching the Global Biofuel Alliance. India invites all of you to join this initiative," he said.

The 18th G-20 Leaders' Summit began on Saturday in New Delhi under the theme of "One Earth, One Family, One Future."