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African countries have gained almost nothing from the grain deal, Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, believes, TASS reports.
He once again confirmed Russia's readiness to supply free grain to the population of the poorest countries and recalled that the head of state had already spoken about this more than once. After Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal, this position has not changed.
Peskov added that Russia plans to replace the grain that went to African countries from Ukraine in accordance with the grain deal.
The issue of grain supplies will definitely be raised at the Russia-Africa summit, which will be held in St. Petersburg, Dmitry Peskov is sure.
Russia walked out of the grain deal the day before, on July, 17, when the Black Sea agreements expired. This means the withdrawal of guarantees for the safety of navigation, the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor, the restoration of the regime of a temporarily dangerous area in the northwestern Black Sea and the disbandment of the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul.
Earlier, Vladimir Putin said that the grain deal was aimed at helping starving countries with food. This goal remained unfulfilled, he added. There are still obstacles to the export of Russian food and fertilizers.
During the period of the agreement, more than 32 million tons of grain were exported from Ukrainian territory. Most of it - about 40% - ended up in European countries. About 25% ended up in China, Turkey received 10%. The poorest countries accounted for a minimum - only 2,5%.
Russkiy Mir
