Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined his government’s commitment to African countries on Monday and promised that if at any time Moscow breaks the agreement with Kiev on grain exports, it will send grain to Africa for free.
Putin, who has spoken on the occasion of a forum that brought together Russian and African representatives, has made clear his interest in a continent in which Moscow is trying to gain influence, to the detriment in some cases of Western countries and on all kinds of fronts, including the military.
The Russian president has recognized the importance for Africa of the agreement that allows the export of cereals from Ukraine, but has made it clear that it is up to his government to decide whether or not to renew said pact, extended ‘in extremis’ this weekend and for a period theoretical 120 days that Russia reduces to 60.
Since July of last year, this initiative has facilitated the export of 25 million tons of merchandise, but Moscow reserves the right to knock it down if, after two months, it considers that the part relating to Russia, which also claims the output of their own grain and fertilizers.
The Foreign Ministry has warned this Monday that, if there are no advances that benefit Russia in terms of ports or even in relation to the banking system – it requests the reconnection of the agricultural bank to the SWIFT system -, "will suspend" participation in the agreement promoted by Turkey and the UN, reports the Interfax agency.
In the event of suspension, Putin has stated that he will supply the same volume free of charge to Africa, especially for those countries that are already maintaining commercial relations with Russia. To renew, he has warned, it is necessary the "full compliance" from a set of requirements.
The president has also alleged that almost half of the cereals that left Ukraine ended up in European countries and that only three million tons went directly to African countries. During this time, he added, Russia exported 12 million tons to Africa.