US accuses Russia of weaponising food in Ukraine crisis and holding global supplies ‘hostage’

Blinken calls on Moscow to end blockade of Ukraine ports as Medvedev says Russia is ready to allow the flow of food when sanctions lift

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The United States has accused Russia of holding the world's food supply hostage amid growing fears of famine in developing countries, as a former Russian president warned that the Kremlin would not release vital grain shipments without an end to western sanctions.

Speaking at a UN security council meeting on Thursday, US secretary of state Antony Blinken demanded that Russia lift its blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports and enable the flow of food and fertiliser around the world.