Russian President Vladimir Putin told leaders and officials from most African countries on Thursday that his nation is making full efforts to avert a global food crisis despite concerns that its withdrawal from a deal allowing grain shipments from Ukraine will cause shortages and price spikes.
"I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African countries, more so since we expect another record harvest this year," he said.
Putin also announced other moves to deepen relations with Africa, including increased enrollment of African students in Russian universities, the opening of Russian state news media bureaus in many African countries and a proposed "common information space in Russia and Africa, within which objective, unbiased information about events taking place in the world will be broadcast to Russian and African audiences.
It's the second Russia-Africa summit since 2019. The number of heads of state attending shrank from 43 then to 17 now because of what the Kremlin described as crude Western pressure to discourage African nations from taking part.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Putin promises African leaders free grain despite ‘hypocritical’ Western sanctionsPutin tells the African summit that over 70% of Ukrainian grain had gone to high- or above-average-income countries, including in the EU
Read more »
African leaders arrive in Russia for summit as Kremlin seeks allies amid fighting in UkraineIt’s the second Russia-Africa summit since 2019. The number of heads of states attending shrank from 43 then to 17
Read more »
African leaders arrive in Russia for summit as Kremlin seeks allies amid fighting in UkraineSome African leaders arrived in Russia on Wednesday for a summit with President Vladimir Putin as the Kremlin seeks more allies amid the fighting in Ukraine.
Read more »
Russia bans gender-affirming care in ongoing crackdown on LGBTQ community - National | Globalnews.caRussia's crackdown on LGBTQ+ people started a decade ago when Putin first proclaimed a focus on 'traditional family values,' supported by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Read more »
Russian fighter jet damages U.S. drone in Syria after firing flares - National | Globalnews.caA Russian fighter jet flew within a few meters of a U.S. drone over Syria and fired flares at it, striking the American aircraft and damaging it.
Read more »
Why won't Putin go to South Africa?Gwynne Dyer: Why won’t Putin go to South Africa? The Russian president really needs to avoid countries that belong to the ICC and have domestic courts that enforce the rule of law. cdnpoli (subs)
Read more »