INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday offered free grain to six poor African countries as he launched a summit with leaders from the
continent days after withdrawing from the Ukraine grain export deal.The two-day summit in Putin's native St
Petersburg is being scrutinized as a test of his support in Africa, where he retains support despite international isolation sparked by his
Black Sea to reach global markets, including Africa, easing pressure on food prices.In a keynote address at the summit, Putin promised to
send grain to six African countries."In the coming months we will be able to ensure free supplies of 25,000 to 50,000 tons of grain to
million tons of grain to leave Ukrainian ports, helping to stabilize global food prices and avert shortages.United States Secretary of
State Antony Blinken pressed African leaders attending the summit to demand answers about the grain disruptions that have propelled poorer
nations towards crisis."They know exactly who's to blame for this current situation," Blinken said of the leaders."My expectation would be
has accused Western countries of trying to prevent African states from participating in the summit.The summit is the second of its kind
following a coup bid, is "actively" discussed on the sidelines of the summit, the Kremlin spokesman said."It will likely be discussed in
some way during the central events of the summit that will take place tomorrow
the Center for African Studies at HSE University.Since the coronavirus pandemic and the launch of the military offensive in Ukraine, "the
to each other positions on topical issues, for example, the grain deal," he added.Putin has already held talks Wednesday with Ethiopian
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, praising their joint energy projects.Representatives of African
states continued to arrive in the former imperial capital ahead of the summit, including delegations from Mozambique and Libya, Russian
with Africa.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been on two tours of the continent so far this year, trying to win over leaders to
group's operations on the continent.The summit in St
place in Johannesburg.South Africa has said that Putin, who is the subject of an international arrest warrant for his actions in Ukraine,
will not be attending in person.
