2023-07-24 08:33:42
After the Kremlin abandoned a crucial grain agreement for world food, President Vladimir Putin guaranteed on Monday July 24 that Moscow would replace Ukrainian grain destined for Africa.
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“I want to reassure that our country is able to replace Ukrainian cereals on a commercial basis and at no cost, especially as we expect another record harvest this year”wrote the head of state in an article published on the Kremlin website and entitled “Russia and Africa: uniting efforts for peace, progress and a prosperous future”. “Notwithstanding the sanctions, Russia will continue its vigorous efforts to ensure the distribution of grain, foodstuffs, fertilizers and other goods to Africa […] The network of Russian embassies and trade missions in Africa will be expanded »added Mr. Putin, while a Russia-Africa summit is to open on Thursday in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg.
Signed in July 2022 in Istanbul and renewed twice, the cereals agreement, which made it possible to reopen Ukrainian agricultural exports by sea despite the Russian offensive, expired last week. In one year, it has enabled nearly 33 million tonnes of cereals to leave Ukrainian ports, mainly corn and wheat, helping to stabilize world food prices and avert the risk of shortages. Moscow has refused to extend it, complaining of insufficient grain deliveries to poor countries and impediments to its own exports of agricultural products and fertilizers.
Read also: War in Ukraine: Russia warns all grain ships in the Black Sea
On Tuesday, the African Union (AU) had “regretted” Russian withdrawal from the agreement. “I urge stakeholders to resolve the issues to allow the resumption of the continued and safe passage of grain and fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia to regions in need, including Africa”, said the chairman of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, on his Twitter account. Moscow said on Friday that it understood ” worries “ African countries, promising to continue delivering to countries in need.
Russia also said last week that it would consider ships bound for Ukraine in the Black Sea as potentially carrying military cargo.
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