Russia's Lavrov tells Rubio Americans should leave Kyiv

Moscow said it would be launching “systematic and consistent strikes” on the city of Kyiv.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov informed US Secretary of State that Americans should leave Kyiv due to planned strikes on the city. Moscow's government has warned of "systematic and consistent strikes" on the Ukrainian capital. The warning was given to US Senator Marco Rubio, not the Secretary of State, as Rubio is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Lavrov's statement was made on Tuesday, with no specific date given for the start of the strikes.

The threat of strikes on Kyiv could lead to a disruption in global grain supplies, causing wheat prices to rise by as much as 10%. This would increase the cost of bread and other baked goods, affecting households that spend a significant portion of their budget on food. The price increase would be felt by consumers in the coming months, depending on the severity of the strikes. Major food companies would need to adjust their pricing strategies in response to the changing market conditions.

The current situation is a result of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea. Russia's actions have been widely condemned by the international community, and the US has imposed significant economic sanctions on the country. Insiders know that Russia's economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas exports, and the sanctions have had a major impact on the country's financial situation. The conflict has also led to a significant increase in military spending by Russia and its allies.

The US and its allies are expected to announce new sanctions on Russia in the coming weeks, potentially targeting the country's energy sector. The European Union is also considering increasing its military aid to Ukraine, with a decision expected by the end of the month. A surprise detail is that Russia's strikes on Kyiv could actually weaken the country's own economy, as it would disrupt the supply of grain to other countries, including those that are major buyers of Russian wheat, such as Egypt and Turkey.