Russia is preparing to send free grain to six African countries in need of food assistance, President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday. The initiative is part of Russia’s efforts to boost its presence and influence in the continent.
Putin said that Russia had scrapped a deal with Ukraine that would have allowed it to export 1 million tons of grain to Africa, citing Ukraine’s failure to fulfill its obligations. He added that Russia was ready to provide the same amount of grain for free to six African countries, namely Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Zimbabwe. “We are now working on the technical details of these deliveries,” Putin said at a summit of African leaders in Moscow. “We hope that they will start within the nearest future, within the next three or four months.”
Putin did not specify how much grain each country would receive, but said that it would be enough to cover their needs for several months. He also said that Russia would provide fertilizers and agricultural equipment to help the African countries improve their food security. The Russian leader said that the free grain initiative was a gesture of goodwill and solidarity with Africa, and not a political move. He stressed that Russia did not seek to impose its will or interfere in the internal affairs of African countries, unlike some other powers.
“We respect the right of the African nations to choose their own path of development,” Putin said. “We do not impose our views or try to gain unilateral advantages.” Russia’s free grain offer comes amid its growing economic and military cooperation with Africa, which has been seen as a challenge to the traditional dominance of Western countries and China in the region. Russia has been expanding its trade, investment and arms sales to Africa, as well as providing security and humanitarian assistance.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russia’s trade with Africa reached $20 billion in 2020, up from $5.7 billion in 2009. Russia has also signed military agreements with more than 30 African countries, and has deployed peacekeepers and advisers in several conflict zones. Russia’s engagement with Africa is expected to increase further in the coming years, as it seeks to diversify its markets and partners, and to counter the sanctions and isolation imposed by the West over its actions in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Source: [ Reuters ]
