Putin to address grain deliveries at Africa summit

Russia intends to strengthen collaboration during its second Africa summit, which begins on Thursday in St. Petersburg, with an emphasis on sending grain and fertiliser to African nations.

Ten days ago, Russia declined to prolong a year-long deal that authorised the export of roughly 33 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain and other food products via the Black Sea.

Russia has attracted widespread criticism for blocking massive quantities of wheat and maize from the global market as a result of its war against Ukraine, causing food prices to soar.

Ukrainian and Russian grain are both important contributors to the global fight against hunger.

In addition to food security, the meeting is likely to address trade expansion.

Russia is a major supplier of armaments to Africa.

President Vladimir Putin hopes to demonstrate that, despite the ongoing war, he is not internationally isolated during his meetings with the leaders of numerous African states.

He also aims to continue discussions on the Kremlin-announced peace initiative including African states to resolve the crisis surrounding Ukraine.

Representatives from 49 countries, according to the Kremlin, will be represented, with 17 being leaders of state or government.

There are fewer participants than during the inaugural summit in 2019.

The Kremlin accused the West of pressing countries not to attend the meeting.

The conference is anticipated to produce another unified declaration, similar to the one released in 2019 in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

dpa/NAN