Blinken expects request for Ukraine funds to include resources for food security

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies during the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing, to review of the fiscal year 2023 budget request for the U.S. Department of State, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 27, 2022. Carolyn Kaster/Pool via REUTERS

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday he expects a Biden administration request for supplemental funds to support Ukraine to include resources for food security.

During testimony to the Senate appropriations subcommittee that oversees the U.S. diplomatic and foreign assistance budget, Blinken said Russia's Feb. 24 invasion and the ongoing conflict was having impacts on food security for Ukrainians and others, given the country's role as a major source of wheat.

The United States would also focus on food security issues in May when it assumes the chairmanship of the U.N. Security Council, Blinken added.

U.S. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), greets U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken before he testifies before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing, to review of the fiscal year 2023 budget request for the U.S. Department of State, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 27, 2022. Carolyn Kaster/Pool via REUTERS

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Simon Lewis; Editing by Chris Reese)