Putin Tells African Leaders: Grain Exports Will Be Allowed

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised the African Union (AU) that he is ready to help the seamless shipment of Ukrainian grain through the country's Black Sea ports, Louise Miner reported for Euronews.

Photo Insert: Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the African Union, Macky Sall

"You are quite welcome to export [wheat] via seaports under Ukrainian control, first of all via the Black Sea ports: Odessa and the nearby ports," said Putin at a meeting with the AU chief.

His remarks come amidst a global food crisis that is being aggravated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Agence France-Presse (AFP) also reported.

By blocking Ukraine from exporting cereals and fertilizers, Moscow has been accused of fueling global food price increases. Putin, on the other hand, denies that Russia is blocking Ukraine.

According to AU President Macky Sall, African countries have become innocent victims of Ukraine's conflict. Senegalese President Macky Sall, who met with Putin in the Russian city of Sochi on behalf of the African continent's 55-member group, said Russia should help alleviate their suffering.

Africa relies on Russia and Ukraine for more than 40 per cent of its wheat, a major food staple across the continent. The war has exacerbated already existing shortages in Africa caused by bad harvests and insecurity.

Already the ensuing price rises have worsened food insecurity, with the UN's crisis coordinator Amin Awad warning that "failure to open those ports will result in famine." He warned further that a grain shortage in Africa could affect 1.4 billion people and trigger mass migration.

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