Putin guarantees grain to Africa
Russian President Putin has promised to send African countries the grain they cannot get from Ukraine, either commercially or free of charge.
In an article on the Russia-Africa Summit to be held in St. Petersburg on July 27-28, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his country's withdrawal from the grain deal would not negatively affect African countries.
Putin argued that US and European business circles are using the grain deal to enrich themselves and that 70 percent of Ukraine's grain goes to high- and upper middle class countries, while countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Afghanistan receive only 3 percent of Ukraine's grain under the deal.
Referring to the fact that his country expects a record harvest this year, Putin said, "I want to assure you that our country can replace Ukrainian grain both commercially and free of charge." Stating that his country sent 11.5 million tons of grain to Africa in 2022, Putin reminded that it sent 10 million tons of grain in the first half of 2023.
Every year, 25 countries in Africa import more than a third of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine. African countries, which have been going through a difficult period due to rising food prices since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, have launched an initiative to reconcile the two countries.
African Union Commission President Moussa Faki Mohammed expressed regret over the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement and urged the parties to maintain the agreement.
Source: Anadolu Agency
