Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he was ready to help “overcome the food crisis” caused by the blocking of Ukrainian and Russian cereals due to the ongoing conflict, which is subject to the lifting of sanctions against Moscow.
Russia ready to make a significant contribution to overcoming the food crisis through the export of grain and fertilizer, subject to the removal of restrictions motivated by Western politics.Putin said, according to a Kremlin statement, in a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
This call took place on the initiative of Mr. Draghi.
In Washington, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby accused Russia using food as a weapon.
They use food as a weaponhe repeated. And obviously we’re talking […] our international partners and allies on how to best respond to all of this.
Mr Putin assured that Western accusations that Moscow, because of its offensive in Ukraine, was preventing the export of Ukrainian grains were not. no basis.
The difficulties that arose were related, among other things, to disruptions in the functioning of production and logistics chains, as well as to the financial policy of Western countries during the coronavirus pandemic.he said.
The situation has worsened due to anti-Russian restrictions imposed by the United States and the European Unionhe assured, in reference to the salvoe of the unprecedented sanctions that have hit Russia.
wheat war
Ukraine, a major exporter of cereals, especially corn and wheat, has seen its production blocked due to the fighting.
For its part, Russia, another cereal power, cannot sell its production and fertilizers because of Western sanctions affecting the financial and logistics sectors. The two countries produce a third of the world’s wheat.
Vladimir Putin also informed Mr. Draghi ongoing work to establish a peaceful life in the liberated cities of Donbass and that the peace process is frozen by kyiv.
Mario Draghi, for his part, announced at a press conference that the purpose of this phone call is to ask if anything can be done to unblock the wheat that is now on deposits in Ukraine.
He suggested a cooperation between Russia and Ukraine in unblocking black sea ports where is this wheat, which is in danger of rotting, on the one hand to clear these ports and on the other hand to ensure that there are no clashes during clearance.
Mr. Draghi indicated that there were, on the Russian side, willingness to proceed in this directionand who he would call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to see if there is a similar will.
When I was asked if I had ever seen glimmers of hope for peace, the answer was no.however, the end of the Prime Minister of Italy.
Source: Radio-Canada
