CNN Opinion: Odesa used to be known for two things -- the port and raucous hedonism

In years gone by, Odesa was Ukraine's "Pearl of the Black Sea," where you would normally at this time of year see locals and holidaymakers jostling for space on its tempting sands. As day turned into evening, fashionable couples would be seen strolling its famed Deribasovskaya Street and youngsters flocking to its clubs that pulsated well into the night. Now, more than five months into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, this historic holiday destination -- which many famous poets, writers, architects and musicians have called home -- has been transformed into ground zero of the global food crisis.

Read my full CNN Opinion OpEd here