Moscow. March 20. INTERFAX - Russia will be ready to supply grain to African countries in need for free in an amount equal to the previous deliveries under the "grain deal" to these states if Moscow decides not to extend the deal itself in 60 days, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"If we still decide not to extend this deal after 60 days, then we are ready to deliver all the volume that was sent to the countries in need in Africa in the previous time from Russia to these countries for free," Putin said, speaking at the Russia-Africa parliamentary conference.
According to him, Russia has agreed to extend for 60 days the validity of agreements on the export of Ukrainian food through the Black Sea and the unblocking of Russian agricultural exports and fertilizer supplies, guided by the needs, first of all, of African countries.
"At the same time, we insist on the package nature of this deal, primarily in the interests of African and other developing countries, bearing in mind that they need large amounts of food. And we insist on full compliance with key Russian requirements," Putin said.
He noted that of the total amount of grain exported from Ukraine, 45 percent "went to European countries," only 3 million tons of grain were sent to African countries, 1.3 million to the poorest states. Over a comparable period, Russia, despite all the "restrictions and restrictions", sent almost 12 million tons of grain to Africa, Putin added.
"I would like to emphasize that only taking into account our position will a fair and comprehensive implementation of the Black Sea grain deal be ensured. And depending on this, we will decide on our further participation," Putin said.
The decision to extend the grain deal for sixty days, he noted, was made only based on the needs of African countries.
Putin stressed that Russia takes care "to ensure that grain and fertilizers are supplied to the needy states of Africa, and not sent to well-fed European markets, to well-fed European countries."
