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| Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during talks with a high-ranking African diplomatic delegation in St. Petersburg, June 17. (Source: NBC News) |
On June 17, during talks with a high-ranking African diplomatic delegation in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin assessed that Ukraine's grain exports under the agreement to ensure safe passage through the Black Sea would not help solve Africa's problems arising from rising global food prices, because only 3% of Ukraine's grain was delivered to the poorest countries.
The Russian President stressed that the food crisis occurred due to the actions of Western countries, not due to the special military campaign conducted by Russia in Ukraine.
Leaders from South Africa, Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, Uganda, the Republic of Congo and the Comoros Islands held talks with President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantinovsky Palace in hopes of mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict, after visiting Kiev on June 16.
Earlier in the day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there seemed to be “no chance” of extending the agreement allowing Ukraine to safely export grain across the Black Sea through waters controlled by Moscow.
“It is difficult to predict any final decision on this issue, but I can say that, given the current situation we have, this agreement has no chance,” Peskov told Izvetia news agency.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative - commonly known as the Black Sea Grain Agreement - was signed on July 22, 2022 by representatives of Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations, and concerns the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizers via the Black Sea.
Moscow has repeatedly warned that the contents of the agreement regarding the export of Russian agricultural products are not being fully implemented.
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