Monday June 19, 2023
Vladimir Putin has criticised the Black Sea Grain Initiative saying its 'figures are dry and impartial' Ali Atmaca/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised the Black Sea Grain Initiative saying its "figures are dry and impartial".
In his address to the African delegation in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday, Putin said just over 3% of the total exports from Ukraine end in Africa's crisis spots.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was brokered last July to help tackle a global food crisis worsened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and allows food and fertiliser to be exported from Ukrainian ports.
"Only 976 000 tonnes out of 31.7 million were shipped to Africa's needy countries: Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Libya and Ethiopia. This is only 3.1%, ladies and gentlemen, friends," he said.
Putin blames the imbalance on the US and its allies in Europe.
"These European neo-colonial powers, technically the US, have once again deceived the international community and the African countries in need."
Last month, he threatened that if his demands in the deal were not considered, he would directly deal with African countries to supply fertiliser.
Some of Russia's demands include the option of Black Sea ammonia shipments and reconnecting the Russian Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT payment system.
The current two-month deal expires on July 17.
Putin said even with exports from Europe, Africa cannot solve its food insecurity.
He said:
Supplies of Ukrainian grain to the global markets do not solve the issue of African countries needing food.
Next month, Russia will host a larger delegation of African leaders in Saint Petersburg for the second Russia-Africa summit.
Putin said the meeting would be a milestone for "promising new directions of cooperation in political relations, trade and economic ties, science and technology, humanitarian affairs and other fields".
He favoured a new world order in which Africa will play a pivotal role.
That's the same message that Russia's rivals in geopolitics – the US and Europe – preach.
"I would like to underscore that Russia has the utmost respect for the principled position of African states in favour of maintaining global and regional stability and security, peaceful settlement of conflicts, and establishing a more just model of international relations.
"We support your aspiration to pursue independent, sovereign and peaceful policies. We welcome the balanced approach of our African friends towards the Ukrainian crisis," he said.
The African delegation that made the trip to Ukraine and Russia, in an attempt to inspire peace talks, consisted of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, AU chairperson and Comoros President Azali Assoumani, Senegal President Macky Sall, Egypt Prime Minister Mostafa Mabdouli, Minister of State and director of the Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Congo Florent Ntsiba, and Ugandan Special Envoy for Special Duties Ruhakana Rugunda.
Putin was joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov.
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