A Ukrainian MP has warned that the average price of lager in the UK could skyrocket due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Other British favourite commodities will also be affected by the invasion such as Fish and Chips. Odessa MP Alex Goncharenko also warned that riots could break out in Egypt to the rising costs of food.
He added that the impact of the war will be felt in the UK this summer as Ukraine is unable to export a key ingredient in beer-making. The MP then called for the Royal Navy to garter a deal allowing grain exports from the Black Sea ports, the Mirror reports.
Speaking to reporters on the margins of the NATO Summit in Madrid, he added: “Already people in the whole world are feeling the result of this blockade, when some man in London is ordering fish and chips, chips are fried in Ukrainian sunflower oil of which 30% of the world’s export is Ukrainian.
“Now it has disappeared. It means we will have social unrest, we will have a new wave of refugees, we will have millions of people starving.
"Putin is acting just like a terrorist, he has taken hundreds of millions of people as hostages by starving them.”
He added: "For example, today Russia is exporting millions of barrels of oil everyday through the Bosphorus - it can be said to them for humanitarian reasons, ‘Either your oil and Ukrainian grain is coming or nothing is coming'.
"That would be absolutely just and clear and it can be done without any military operations, no risk of military attacks.”
He argued that oil should be used as a "leverage" to put pressure on the Kremlin to "open the Black Sea". He said he would back a deal since it would have no effect on easing sanctions on Moscow.
“It can be members of the Security Council of the United Nations, it can be the United Kingdom because the United Kingdom is a member of the Security Council and a great navy country with a great history, and also today,” he insisted.
“The United Kingdom can play a major role here. The UK Government tries to be active here, I hope very much that it will be resolved.”
It comes after vital shipping routes in the Black Sea have been blocked, making it hard for vessels to sail in and out of Ukrainian ports. The blockade has affected important Ukrainian exports such as grain and barley - key ingredients in making beer.
British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “In recent months, our brewers have reported difficulties with obtaining key ingredients and raw materials due to numerous supply chain issues, including the war in Ukraine.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and working alongside businesses and government to help ensure disruption is minimised.”
Campaign for Real Ale chairman Nik Antona said: "This is an incredibly difficult time across the board and Camra and our members stand with the people of Ukraine
“As an organisation, we're aware that consumers and businesses alike are struggling with rising costs of goods and a huge squeeze on the cost of living, at a time when many pubs and breweries are trying to get back on their feet post-pandemic.”
Campaign for Pubs campaign director Greg Mulholland said: “The impact of rising prices of grain and the serious supply problems are putting pressure on small brewers and on publicans. “At the same time consumers are facing the cost-of-living crisis, pubs and breweries are also seeing soaring energy prices and rising product prices which is pushing up the price of a pint and making it difficult for some people to continue to afford to go to the pub.
“The Government needs to realise that pubs and many small brewers are still recovering from the loss of trade from the Covid pandemic and lockdowns and further support is needed to allow pubs to get through the cost-of-living crisis and keep serving their communities.”
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