Russia to replace Ukrainian grain shipments to Africa-Putin

Following Moscow’s withdrawal from a contract allowing their secure shipment, President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday that Russia would replace exports of grain from Ukraine to Africa. 
Putin stated in a statement posted on the Kremlin website that “Russia will continue its energetic efforts to provide supplies of grain, food products, fertilizers, and other goods to Africa.” 
“I want to reassure you that our nation is capable of replacing the grain from Ukraine both commercially and at no cost.” Up until a pact mediated by the UN and Turkey and reached in July 2022 allowed for the passage of crucial grain shipments, Moscow’s military action barred Ukraine’s Black Sea ports with warships.
Russia left the accord earlier this month after claiming that a separate agreement to permit the export of Russian grain and fertiliser had not been upheld. Later, Moscow declared that it would consider cargo ships passing through the Black Sea on their way to Ukraine as potential military targets. 
The decision by Moscow to sever the grain export agreement has been met with “regret” by the African Union. The second Russia-Africa Summit and the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum will be held in Russia later this week, according to the Kremlin. According to humanitarian organisations, Russia and Ukraine grain exports to Africa are crucial. 
Over the past year, the grain agreement allowed for the shipment of more than 32 million tonnes of grain from Ukraine.