Advertisement
Putin promises free grain at Africa summit, claims Ukraine has not succeeded on any front
- In a keynote speech, Putin announced the offer of ‘25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of grain’ to six poor African countries ‘in the coming months’
- Russia last week refused to extend a deal allowing Ukrainian grain exports to pass through the Black Sea to reach global markets, including Africa
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
2
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday offered free grain to six poor African countries as he launched a summit with leaders from the continent days after withdrawing from the Ukraine grain export deal.
The two-day summit in Putin’s native Saint Petersburg is being scrutinised as a test of his support in Africa, where he retains support despite international isolation sparked by his military intervention in Ukraine last year.
Russia last week refused to extend a deal under which Ukrainian grain exports passed through the Black Sea to reach global markets, including Africa, easing pressure on food prices.
In a keynote address at the summit, Putin promised to send grain to six African countries.
“In the coming months we will be able to ensure free supplies of 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of grain to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea,” Putin said.
Over a year, the deal allowed around 33 million tonnes of grain to leave Ukrainian ports, helping to stabilise global food prices and avert shortages.
Advertisement