The Kremlin on Tuesday reiterated Russia’s willingness to provide free grain to African countries, following the suspension of the Black Sea initiative for the export of Ukrainian grain.
“Naturally. Russia maintains its position,” Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov replied during the daily press conference.
At the same time, he added: “Unfortunately, we are talking about quite small amounts, because the poorest countries in Africa received less grain than everyone else” under the grain deal.
Peskov added that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to discuss the issue with his African counterparts at the next Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg at the end of July.
In March, Putin promised that Russia would send free food to African countries in need if it had to suspend the grain deal, which it did on July 17.
The Kremlin said on Monday, suspending the agreement, that “as soon as the Russian part” of the agreements is fulfilled, Russia will “immediately resume the implementation of this agreement.”
According to Moscow, these include the reconnection of the Russian agricultural bank, Rosselkhozbank, to SWIFT, the lifting of sanctions on spare parts for agricultural machinery, the unlocking of transport logistics and insurance, the unfreezing of assets and the resumption of operations of pipelines. Togliatti-Odessa ammonia, which exploded on June 5.
Source: TSF
