The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, responded to the claims of Volodymyr Putin, who stated that the export of Ukrainian grain goes mainly to European countries, and not to poor countries. The Kyiv leader calls the Russian president’s statement a “blatant lie” and says that Ukraine, unlike Russia, does not divide the world according to the racist principle.

• “Russia has made yet another blatantly false statement, according to which the absolute majority of Ukrainian grain will be exported to European countries. After all, the truth has not been heard at the official level in Russia for a long time, and this does not surprise anyone,” said Zelensky.

Putin is to discuss with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, restrictions on destinations for vessels exporting Ukrainian grain on the grounds that “the poorest countries do not have access to them.”

Zelensky noted that Ukrainian food products are exported to three continents: to Asia, where 54 ships have already been sent, to Africa – 16 ships and to Europe – 32 ships, but part of this volume sent to Europe will later be directed to Asia and Africa. countries.

The President of Ukraine insisted that three million tons of agricultural products will be exported by the end of the month, “an important part of which is intended for the poorest countries that need it the most.”

“We do not divide the world according to racist criteria”

Zelenskyi separately stopped at the first transport that was transferred to Ethiopia: “The road was not easy: first by sea, then by trucks. But hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians will not die of hunger. Who knows, maybe Russia does not agree with this and does not want to notice. However, this is exactly what the world needs. We need to save countries from different continents from chaos, we need to save people from starvation.”

“Unlike Russia,” he continued, “we do not divide the world according to racist criteria into those who deserve security and those who, it would seem, do not deserve it, into those who deserve a life without hunger and those who , who doesn’t seem to deserve it.” deserve it. We support all people, all countries. (..) Ukraine was, is and will be a guarantor of global food security,” Zelenskyy added, writes Agerpres with reference to EFE.

Accusation of Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that grain exports from Ukraine mainly go to European countries, not to poor countries, which he said poses the risk of a “humanitarian catastrophe.”

• “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. Look at the count: 80 ships, and only two to developing countries, that’s only 3%. This could lead to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. Maybe we should think about limiting the export of grain and other food products on this route ?” Putin said.

Actual figures of Ukrainian grain exports

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.