The energy crisis in Italy is getting more worrying every day as wholesale gas prices have surged to skyrocketing levels, which in turn may result in the bankruptcy of countless industries reliant on Russian gas produced electricity.

Ukraine, a major global supplier of grain, cannot export most of its produce due to the current war, which is causing serious problems in places where they depend most on this supply such as the Middle East and Africa.

The US and its European allies are preparing for a protracted war in Ukraine even at the cost of “a global recession and mounting hunger” amid rising military aid to Kiev, US officials say.

Ukraine may give up its ambition of joining the US-led NATO alliance in a bid to avert war, the country’s envoy to Britain has suggested, noting that Kiev is willing to be “flexible” on the issue.

The US president-elect has expressed willingness to remove harsh economic sanctions against Moscow if it cooperates with Washington.