Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow is “willing to engage in a productive dialogue” and commended the diplomatic approach of African nations toward the conflict in Ukraine during a meeting with several leaders from the continent in St. Petersburg on Saturday.
“We appreciate the well-balanced approach of our African friends concerning the Ukrainian crisis. … We are open to a constructive dialogue with all those interested in peace, based on principles of fairness and taking into account the legitimate interests of all parties,” Putin expressed. He maintained that “Russia is prepared to consider any African proposals for resolving the conflict in Ukraine,” but assigned blame to Kyiv for refusing to engage in negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Friday, after meeting with African leaders, that any peace talks with Russia can only take place once Russian troops completely withdraw from the occupied territories.
The Black Sea grain agreement: Putin also asserted that “the crisis in the global food market is not a direct consequence of the conflict in Ukraine.”
“The supply of Ukrainian grain to international markets does not address the issue of global hunger,” he remarked.
Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia initially imposed a blockade on crucial grain exports from major Ukrainian Black Sea ports, including Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi, resulting in millions of tons of Ukrainian grain not being shipped to countries that heavily rely on its production. Last summer, an agreement was brokered with the assistance of Turkey and the United Nations to ensure the safe passage of ships carrying Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.
“Exports of Ukrainian grain, facilitated by the agreement ensuring its safe transportation across the Black Sea, do not contribute to resolving Africa’s challenges with high global food prices, as only 3% of the grain has reached the most impoverished countries,” Putin stated.
Data from the United Nations reveals that approximately 802,000 metric tons of cargo have been delivered to low-income countries, with three of the five countries situated in Africa. Other African countries receiving shipments are classified as lower-middle income.
“In the interest of countries in need, Moscow has taken significant measures to ensure the supply of Ukrainian grain to African nations,” Putin asserted. An update from the Office of the UN coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative on June 15 stated, “In 2022, Ukraine supplied more than half of the global wheat grain procurement by the World Food Programme, as it did in 2021. The volume of food exported by the Initiative in May was the lowest since its inception, falling significantly below shipping demand and Ukraine’s export capacity.”
Statements from African leaders: On Saturday, the leaders offered to act as mediators in the Ukrainian war and called for “dialogue and compromise,” as well as “de-escalation on both sides.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged for “an end to the war.”
Ramaphosa also advocated for “the facilitation of grain movement across the Black Sea, and the removal of any existing blockades.”
Regarding the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children: Ramaphosa called for “the safe return of all children affected by this conflict to their homes.”
Putin informed African leaders that “the Russian authorities lawfully evacuated children from the conflict zone in Ukraine and have always supported their reunification with their families.”
In March, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova, alleging their involvement in a scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia.