Vladimir Putin is currently engaged in a charm offensive. On Thursday, the Russian president will host African leaders in an effort to strengthen Moscow’s position in a continent that is increasingly important to its geopolitical ambitions.
Aside from the conflict in Ukraine, food security will be a major topic of discussion at the second Africa-Russia Summit in St Petersburg, particularly after Russia’s recent decision to withdraw from an international grain deal, which caused concern in Africa.
Last year, the United Nations and Turkey brokered an agreement to allow the safe transportation of agricultural goods through Ukraine’s ports in the Black Sea, despite the ongoing war with Russia. Although the majority of the nearly 33 million tonnes of exports did not reach the world’s poorest countries, the deal helped stabilize food prices, reducing them by over 20% according to the UN.
Russia justified its decision by claiming that the conditions for extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative were not met. In response, Russia launched a series of strikes on port infrastructure and grain depots in southern Ukraine.
Korir Sing’Oei, Kenya’s principal secretary for foreign affairs, described Putin’s decision as “a betrayal,” but African leaders have largely refrained from commenting.
In an editorial published on Monday, Putin blamed the West for failing to deliver grain to the world’s poorest nations and assured African countries that Russia can provide Ukrainian grain “free of charge” as it expects a “record harvest” this year.
Source from www.aljazeera.com