U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday that Russia's military operations in neighboring Ukraine have caused prices to rise, saying grain shipments from the country have been halted by the war.
Biden stressed that Ukraine could not transport its pills to the world because of the war that began on February 24.
The President said he is working with European partners to make grain stored in Ukraine find its way to global markets and lower their prices.
On the energy issue, U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the OPEC announcement on increasing production, but said he was not sure that was enough.
"They acknowledged a shortage of oil and issued a statement about their intention to increase production," Biden told reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I don't know if that's enough. I know it's positive," he said, according to Reuters.
However, in addition to saying that OPEC's "announcement of increased production is a positive step," the PRESIDENT added, "he is not sure whether it is enough."
As Russia's special military operations in Ukraine entered its 100th day, Biden said he would not tell Kiev what to do.
"Later, there will be negotiations and no one knows what it can produce," Biden said.
The war in Ukraine has entered its 100th day as Russia's military operations focus on eastern Ukraine, in an effort to tighten control of Donbass territory.
Prior to the start of military operations, Russia declared its recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, where pro-Moscow separatists are located.
The U.S. president noted that there is a possibility that he will meet with Israeli leaders and some Arab leaders soon
While Biden accused Moscow of disrupting Ukraine's ability to export its grain, African Union President Maki Sal and Russian President Vladimir Putin said sanctions against Moscow had caused the crisis.
The African Union spoke of a Russian pledge to facilitate food exports.
Sal said Friday that Putin expressed his desire to facilitate Ukrainian grain exports during a meeting in the Sochi resort.
Sal said in a statement on Twitter that Putin had informed him of Russia's readiness to guarantee exports of Russian wheat and fertilizers.