Russia Calls The West Intimidation Of African Countries

JAKARTA - The Russian government says Western countries, especially the US and France, are providing "unprecedented pressure" on African countries to prevent their participation in the upcoming Russia-African summit.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said policies taken by the US, France, and other Western countries should be condemned and condemned.

"In fact, they eliminated the sovereign rights of African countries to choose their partners to expand cooperation and relationships in various fields and to discuss urgent issues," he said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, July 25.

Peskov also said it was important for Russia to jointly gather with African countries and continue the dialogue, which he said would be discussed during the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg on 27-28 July.

Meanwhile, responding to questions about UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' proposal to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Peskov said that Russia was unlikely to return to the agreement because there was a part of the deal that was not fulfilled.

"President (Vladimir) Putin explained that Russia is ready to immediately continue the agreement if the agreement is implemented," he added.

On July 17, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea seed deal, saying there was some part of the agreement not implemented.

Part of the agreement in question is the easing of Russian bank banking restrictions and certainty for Russia's fertilizer exports.

The agreement, agreed by Turkey, the United Nations, Russia, and Ukraine in Istanbul in July 2022, aims to continue exporting grains from the Ukrainian port, which stalled due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Turkey said Western countries should try to resolve Russia's objections, and hoped Moscow could return to the deal.