The European Union (EU) has called on Russia to immediately cease attacks on grain transports in the Black Sea. "These attacks are a clear violation of international law," a spokesman for the EU's foreign policy representative Josep Borrell said in Brussels. In doing so, he said, Russia is encroaching on the food security of millions of people in need in Africa and Asia.

According to the European Commission, Russia has recently targeted cargo ships transporting Ukrainian grain to other countries. Recently, missiles hit two ships from Panama and Palau in the port of Odessa. Previously, grain ships from St Kitts and Nevis and Turkey were targeted.