Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed on Monday that Russia would send all the grain it needs to Africa if a deal on Ukrainian exports is not extended in two months, at the end of an extension announced by his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday.
“If in the end we decide not to extend this agreement after 60 days, then we are ready to deliver from Russia for free the entire volume, which was recently intended for the countries that needed the most (grain) in Africa,” said Volodymyr. Putin during a speech in Moscow to African leaders, AFP and Agerpres agencies report.
According to Putin, Russia “honestly fulfills all its obligations, including the supply of food, fertilizers, fuel and other important products to the states of the (African) continent, thereby contributing to ensuring their food and energy security.”
Vladimir Putin once again criticized the Europeans, accusing them of misappropriating grain coming from Ukrainian ports.
“Only 3 million tons of grain were sent to Africa and 1.3 million to the poorest countries in Africa,” compared to “12 million tons that Russia sent” to the African continent, Putin said.
In his speech, the Russian president also said that Moscow would “make a decision in favor of its future participation” in the grain deal, which was extended on Saturday until May 18, only if its “fair and full implementation” is ensured. .
Earlier on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia made the continuation of Moscow’s participation in the agreement dependent on the “reconnection” of Rossilhospbank to the Swift international payment system, the “cancellation of restrictions on insurance and reinsurance” of ships, or the “unblocking of Russia’s foreign assets and accounts.” companies related to the production and transportation of food products and fertilizers”.
“Without progress in fulfilling these requirements (…) our participation (in the agreement) will be suspended,” the Russian ministry warned.
In its current state, “the agreement continues to operate for the next two months in the existing parameters, without any changes, in the relevant ports,” the ministry’s statement also clarified.
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Source: Hot News
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