Russia says it is "ready" to help export grain from Ukraine
A wheat warehouse belonging to Ivan Kilgan, village head of the regional agricultural association, in the village of Luky, western Ukraine, Friday, March 25, 2022. AP - Nariman El-Mofty
Text by: RFI Follow
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The statement comes as fears of a severe global food crisis grow.
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In a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Russia said it was "
ready to find options for unhindered export of grain, including Ukrainian grain from ports on the Black Sea
“, According to a press release from the Kremlin which does not give more details.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the fighting, which is raging in particular in southern Ukraine, and the economic sanctions aimed at Russia have blocked the trade of nearly a third of the world's wheat production.
Raising fears
of a global food crisis.
According to Vladimir Putin, the difficulties related to food deliveries were caused by "
erroneous economic and financial policies of Western countries, as well as anti-Russian sanctions
", the statement added.
But the export of wheat touted by Vladimir Putin, which would make it possible to lower tensions on the international agricultural market, must be conditional on “
the lifting of the appropriate sanctions
”, estimates Moscow.
Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine the Russian fleet has controlled the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Boats cannot leave or enter Ukrainian ports.
Unblocking these ports in order to resume wheat deliveries and avoid a global crisis is what Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has asked the international community on several occasions.
► Also to listen: Odessa, a vital port for the Ukrainian economy and world trade
(With
AFP
)
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