Ukraine’s Front‑Line Man Tells Southeast Asia: “Cut the Games, Not the Grains!”
TL;DR: Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba stops by Cambodia, throws a wake‑up call at ASEAN, and reminds everyone that keeping Russia in the grain‑deal box isn’t enough unless Russian inspectors actually do the job. He warns that the deal could expire next week if either side pushes back, and urges the region to “stop the hunger‑games” that are messing with global food prices.
The Big Deal (And Why It Matters)
- Since July 22, a UN‑Turkey mediated agreement lets Ukraine ship food and fertilizer from several Black Sea ports.
- >More than 10 million tonnes of grain have already left Ukrainian shores thanks to this pact.
- It’s set to end on 19 November—unless Russia or Ukraine says “no,” which could shut the supply chain dead‑center.
- With war‑driven disruptions, the world’s food crisis has already put millions at risk of famine.
Why Kuleba Stares Him Down
Kuleba shot the spotlight on Russia’s role.
- He said just keeping Russia “on board” isn’t sufficient; inspectors must act in good faith and avoid bureaucratic delays that hike shipping costs.
- “We can’t let Russia turn this into a playground for hunger‑games,” he warned to an ASEAN crowd that includes leaders from Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and even the Big Ten (US, Japan, Korea, Australia).
- He also ribbed Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, for not asking for a meeting in the “classic diplomatic fashion.”
He’d Patted the Table, While the World Is Prying on
Kuleba noted a pattern:
- Russia talks a big game but has zero meaningful‑negotiation track record.
- “There is not a single indicator that Russia is sincerely seeking negotiations,” he said, summing up a cynical view of the other side’s intentions.
Bottom Line – The ASEAN Verdict
From his perspective, the lesson for Southeast Asia is simple: Don’t let Russia hitch a ride on your grain truck while it pulls a stunt.
- “The worst thing that a country can do is nothing,” Kuleba warned, urging her allies to act fast and keep the supply chain moving.
- He called for “every possible method” to stop Russia from fiddling with global prices.
In a nutshell, it’s a march‑on-to‑the‑grain‑deal, and the world wants it to stay in the hands of those who care about food security—not a handful of meddling inspectors. The question: Will ASEAN step up and keep the Black Sea’s bounty flowing safely to the world? Only time will tell, and maybe a good cup of coffee will help decide it.
