Tehran:
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the West must lift restrictions on the export of Russian grain.
“We will facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain, but we assume that all restrictions on air deliveries for the export of Russian grain will be lifted,” Putin told reporters in Tehran after talks with the presidents of Iran and Turkey.
Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine has hampered shipments from one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat and other grains, raising fears of global food shortages.
“As you know, Americans have lifted – essentially lifted – restrictions on the supply of Russian fertilizers to world markets,” Putin said.
“If they sincerely want to improve the situation in the international food markets, I hope the same will happen with the supply of Russian grain for export.”
Grain prices in Africa, the world’s poorest continent, have skyrocketed as a result of the decline in exports from Ukraine, exacerbating the impact of conflict and climate change and fueling fears of social unrest.
The United Nations has said Africa is facing an “unprecedented” crisis caused by the conflict.
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