Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Thursday to deliver free grain to six African countries at the opening of the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg.
These are Zimbabwe, Somalia, Eritrea, Mali, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso. Moscow will be able “in the coming months” to deliver “free of charge” up to 50,000 tonnes to these countries, underlined the Russian leader.
While Russia has decided to suspend its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which guaranteed the export of Ukrainian grain to world markets, Putin has indicated that his country « can replace Ukrainian grain on the commercial but also on that (of humanitarian deliveries) free of charge ».
The grain agreement was signed in July 2022 between Moscow and Kyiv, under the aegis of the United Nations and Turkey, to allow Ukraine to export its agricultural products via the Black Sea, given that exports were blocked due to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
In one year, the agreement would have allowed not only the export of nearly 33 million tons of cereals and foodstuffs to 45 countries, but also a relative drop in prices which had risen considerably.
Last week, Moscow refused to extend the agreement, causing serious concern from different countries, the UN and other organizations like the European Union which considered that Russia’s decision further aggravates the global crisis of the food security it has brought about by its war of aggression against Ukraine and by its blockade of Ukrainian seaports.
Putin used his speech to motivate his resolution. While accusing Western countries of “obstructing” Russian fertilizer and grain deliveries, he explained that “none of the terms of the agreement regarding Russian grain and fertilizer deliveries have been fulfilled”. .
By OMA Newsletter N° 1266 of 07/27/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
