Addressing the Russia-Africa meeting on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that his country is prepared to replace Ukrainian grain exports to Africa and will provide free supplies to six countries.
“There is a paradoxical situation. On the one hand, the Western countries are obstructing supplies of our grain and fertilizers, while on the other hand, I will say it frankly, they are hypocritically blaming us for the current crisis in the world food market,” he said.
“Our country can replace Ukrainian grain both commercially and as free aid to the poorest countries in Africa, especially as we are again expecting a record harvest this year,” Putin added.
The summit welcomed the presidents of South Africa and Egypt on Thursday, bringing together leaders from an entire continent. Russia says 49 African delegations will take part, although only 17 heads of state will be in attendance — a decline from the 45 who participated in the last such event in 2019.
The gathering comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrew from the Black Sea agreement, which had allowed Ukraine, a major grain exporter like Russia, to continue shipping food out of its southern ports despite the ongoing 17-month-old conflict.
Putin’s announcement offers an opportunity for Russia to play a prominent role in supporting African countries amid the challenges in the global food market. The Russian leader emphasized that his country’s record harvest this year enables them to fulfill the grain demand both commercially and through free aid.
The Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg is seen as a crucial platform for strengthening ties and cooperation between Russia and African nations, particularly in the area of agricultural trade.
