Russia Vs Ukraine: WTO DG, Okonjo-Iweala Reacts As War Continues

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has reacted to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Okonjo-Iweala said the war between the two European countries which is now in its eighth day, will affect the cost of bread, among other things.

This is as the WTO DG pointed out that the war will hurt wheat consumers as the affected country is a major exporter of wheat, Naija News reports.

According to her, the WTO is worried about the implications of the war, hoping that the issues would have been resolved amicably.

She said, “At the WTO, we have watched this tragedy in Ukraine unfold with disbelief and the hope that it would have been peacefully resolved.

“However, this is now the 7th day, and we are deeply saddened by the continued suffering and loss of life. We pray that there will be a peaceful and quick resolution.

“We are also concerned about the trade implications of the conflict, especially trade in agriculture and food products and the rise in energy prices and their effects on the impacted population.

“The war will have a big impact on wheat prices and prices of bread for ordinary people as well,” Okonjo-Iweala is quoted as saying at a virtual event with IMF Chief, Kristalina Georgieva, Naija News reports.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed those that will be qualified for evacuation.

Recall that Naija News earlier reported that the evacuation of Nigerians stranded in Ukraine will begin from Wednesday, March 2nd.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, revealed this during a meeting with the Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday February 28.

He said that the Federal government had begun the process for the evacuation of Nigerians in Ukraine-Russia crisis and planes would be dispatched to facilitate it.

However, Onyeam stated that only those registered in the Nigerian embassies are qualified for evacuation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed in a statement by its spokesperson Francisca Omayuli, that arrangements are being made to begin the evacuation of Nigerians willing to return home through Romania, Poland and Hungary.