Today: 5 May 2025
4 August 2023
2 mins read

Russia seeks Turkey’s help for sending food to Africa

The mood for cooperation in this area with Turkey and other interested states was expressed,” Russian President’s office said in a statement…reports Asian Lite News

After terminating the United Nations-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative last month, Russia is looking at Turkey to facilitate unimpeded exports of its food and fertilizer to the world markets, in particular the starving countries of Africa and South Asia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan tried to work out on “reliable options” for the supply of Russian grain to African countries during their phone call on Wednesday. The two leaders also agreed that Putin would visit Turkey soon.

The Kremlin stated that Putin outlined Russia’s principled position in connection with the termination of package agreements on the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports and the unblocking of Russian food and fertilizer supplies.

He told Erdogan that the extension of the grain deal had “lost its meaning” in view of a “complete lack of progress” in the implementation of the Russian part of the agreement and Moscow would return to the deal as soon as all the obligations are fulfilled.

“It was emphasized that, taking into account the needs of the countries most in need of food, reliable options for the supply of Russian grain, including on a gratuitous basis, are being worked out. This issue was substantively discussed at the second Russia-Africa summit recently held in St. Petersburg . The mood for cooperation in this area with Turkey and other interested states was expressed,” Russian President’s office said in a statement.

Erdogan had been in talks with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the formation of secure corridors via the Black Sea for grain export long before the initiative between Russia, Ukraine and Turkey was signed in July 2022.

The grain deal allowed significant volumes of exports with the Ukrainian pilot vessels guiding the ships through the Black Sea, after which they headed out through the Bosphorus Strait, passing Istanbul, along an agreed corridor.

On Friday, besides stressing the need to “avoid steps that would escalate the Russian-Ukrainian war”, the Turkish President also spoke to Putin on the importance of the Black Sea initiative, which he considered as a “bridge of peace”.

“President Erdogan pointed out that stopping the grain withdrawal initiative across the Black Sea for a long time will not be in the interest of any party, and that the greatest harm will be inflicted on needy and low-income countries. He pointed out that grain prices, which fell by 23% during the validity period of the initiative, increased by 15% in the past two weeks,” Turkish Presidency stated after the phone conversation between the two leaders.

As reported by IndiaNarrative.com last week, Russia has promised to replace Ukrainian grain to the “most needy African countries” – both on a commercial basis, and in the form of gratuitous assistance.

Putin emphasised the Kremlin’s commitment to countries of the African continent during the Second Russia-Africa Summit held in Saint Petersburg on July 27.

ALSO READ-Rough patch for Pakistan’s much-hyped oil deal with Russia

Previous Story

Jeddah talks: Ukraine, allies push peace plan

Next Story

City centre Ajman hosts third edition of indoor run

Latest from -Top News

UAE Reopens Doors to Lebanon

The prime minister expressed Lebanon’s “utmost gratitude and appreciation to the UAE” and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan….reports Asian Lite News Lebanon welcomed the decision by the United Arab Emirates

SYRIA RAIDS: Arab League Slams Israel

The Arab League condemned the airstrikes and called on the international community and the United Nations to confront what it described as “repeated violations committed by Israel against the Syrian state.” The

India Rises, Africa Watches 

While struggling economies in Africa engulf themselves in ideological battles and take sides in the tariff battles, nations like India are placing their national interest first and navigating Global Trade challenges in

WAVES 2025: Jaishankar Advocates Cultural Pluralism

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a powerful address at the WAVES 2025 Global Media Dialogue, highlighting the significance of cultural pluralism in shaping global change. Speaking on the second day of
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Somali rejects AU’s proposal for a joint mission with UN

The Somali government has rejected an African Union (AU) proposal

Turkey censures Quran desecration in Copenhagen

Two protesters from the far-right Danish group of Danske Patrioter