President Putin Promises African Leaders Free Grains Despite Western Sanctions

President Putin held a meeting with leaders of African countries (Source: TASS/Sergei Bobylev via Kremlin)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told African leaders he would give them tens of thousands of tons of seeds in a few months despite Western sanctions, which he said made it difficult for Moscow to export its grains and fertilizers.

Speaking at a summit in St. Petersburg aimed at Russia-African relations, President Putin said Russia expects a record grain harvest and is ready to replace Ukrainian grain exports to Africa, both commercially and in aid to honor what he said was Moscow's important role in global food security.

"We will be ready to provide Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea with 25-50,000 tons of free grains in the next 3-4 months," President Putin said at the Russia-Africa summit, which was greeted by applause from the participants.

"We will also provide free delivery of this product to consumers," he continued.

President Putin further said Russia exported a total of 60 million tonnes of grain last year, of which 48 million tonnes were wheat.

Responding to Western criticism of Moscow's decision to leave the Black Sea seed deal, allowing Ukraine to send grains from its port despite the war, President Putin reiterated his argument that promises made to Russia to facilitate exports of its own grains and fertilizers have not been fulfilled.

Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday the surge in world food prices due to the end of the Black Sea deal and Russia's bombing of the Danish River port Ukraine has used as an export route, "very devastating for vulnerable countries struggling to feed their people".

President Putin told the summit that more than 70 percent of Ukrainian grains exported thanks to a deal that is now in effect have been sent to high-income countries or above average, including in the European Union.

Meanwhile, the poorest countries, such as Sudan, have been "chaotic" and received less than 3 percent of the grain shipments.

He did not mention the broader effect of Ukraine's supply in lowering global market prices.

In addition, President Putin said Western sanctions, which were imposed in response to Russia's war in Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation", prevented Russia from supplying free fertilizers to poor countries.

"The paradox image is emerging. On the one hand, Western countries are blocking the supply of our grains and fertilizers, while on the other hand they are hypocritically blaming us for the current crisis situation in the world food market," President Putin criticized.

On the same occasion, African Union chairman Azali Assoumani called on Russia and Ukraine to "live side by side peacefully, saying this would save the lives of people who depend on exporting food from the two countries.

Russia says 49 of the 54 countries on the continent are represented in St Petersburg, including 17 heads of state and four heads of government.

That's less than half of the number of leaders taking part in the last summit in 2019, the Kremlin's partial blame for efforts by the United States, France, and other Western countries to deter leaders from attending.

It is known, on the same occasion President Putin also mentioned many sectors - such as energy, media, transportation, trade, financial services, medicine, agriculture, and car manufacturing - where Moscow is ready to share its expertise or business. He also said Russia was ready to welcome more African students.