Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Ukrainian grain is exported mainly to European countries and not to poor countries, which he said poses the risk of a “humanitarian catastrophe”, AFP reported.

These statements do not fully confirm the data provided to AFP by the coordination center in Turkey, according to which only 36% of Ukrainian grain reached the EU countries.

“Almost all grain exported from Ukraine is sent not to developing countries and poor countries, but to EU countries,” Putin said at an economic forum in Vladivostok (Russia’s Far East).

“What we are seeing is a deception (…), a rude and reckless treatment of these partners for whom all this was supposed to be done,” he told numerous Asian economic and political leaders.

The Russian president condemned the “colonizing” attitude of Western countries, especially the EU, which think first of all about their “own interests”. “They don’t care,” he said.

“Look at the count: 80 ships, and only two to developing countries,” meaning “only 3 percent,” Putin said in his speech.

“This could lead to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster,” he warned in a speech that lasted more than half an hour. “Perhaps it is worth considering how to limit the export of grain and other food products along this route,” he said.

“I will consult with the President of Turkey (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan,” who agreed on an agreement in Istanbul allowing the export of Ukrainian grain, he added.

“Russian Lie”

Ukraine on Wednesday denied the allegations, saying that two-thirds of the cargo was destined for countries in Africa and Asia.

“Two-thirds of the shipped ships are headed for Asia, Africa and the Middle East,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, insisting that these exports from Kyiv “had a positive effect on lowering food prices.”

“The lie of the Russians that Ukrainian grain is sent only to Europe is simply not true,” he said.

He named China, Egypt, Iran, India, Somalia and Libya among the countries which, according to him, received supplies of Ukrainian grain.

“The only reason for the aggravation of the world food crisis this year was and remains the brutal war unleashed by Russia, which blocked Ukrainian seaports and deliberately destroyed agricultural infrastructure and logistics,” the minister added.

According to data provided to AFP on Wednesday by the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) in Istanbul, which monitors the agreement, since the beginning of August, 100 ships have left the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny, carrying 2,334,310 tons of grain and other goods. agricultural products.

The main destination countries were Turkey (20%), Spain (15%), Egypt (10%), China (7%) and Italy (7%). European countries make up 36% of the total, African countries – 17%.

“30% of cargoes went to low- and lower-middle-income countries,” states the CCC.

However, a significant part of the grain supplied to Turkey is re-exported, in particular to the Middle East and North Africa, analysts say.

A US government official said on condition of anonymity that Putin’s claims were false and that some grain was transported to Europe for processing before being sent to poor countries.

Vladimir Putin’s statements came at a time when concern about global food security, which has been affected by the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine, continues.

The Istanbul agreement allowed Ukrainian grain exports to resume, but Russia has complained for weeks that its own food exports are being hampered by Western sanctions.