Credit Photo Reuters/ Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a new promise to the African countries including Somalia, when he opened a meeting between Russia and Africa in the country.
President Putin has told African leaders and officials that Moscow will provide wheat for sale or free to the countries most in need, to prevent global food insecurity caused by Russia’s refusal to export Ukrainian wheat to the Black Sea.
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Putin speaking at the opening of the two-day Africa-Russia Summit in St. Petersburg said “I have already said that our country can replace Ukraine’s wheat, both commercially and as donations to African countries in need.”
He added, “Our country will continue to provide support to governments and regions that need, in particular, humanitarian aid.”
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”We are looking to actively participate in the construction of the resource distribution system. We are doing our best to prevent a global food crisis.”
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However, the White House has rejected Putin’s claims that he wants to solve the food crisis affecting the world’s poorest countries.
Spokesman of the National Security Council, John Kirby, who spoke to VOA, said that Putin is being asked to tell African leaders that he is the reason for the challenges they are facing at the moment.
“I hope he tells them, I am the reason why the price of food is high. I am the reason why you will have many problems with hunger, and getting food and grain in your countries.”