Putin says Russia will provide free grain to Africa if Black Sea deal not extended

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia would provide grain to African countries for free if the Black Sea grain deal is not extended in May.

Speaking by video link to delegates at a Russia-Africa parliamentary conference, Putin said that only a small amount of grain exports unblocked under the deal had reached Africa, and that the fulfilment of Russian conditions for the deal’s renewal was in Africa’s interest.

Black Sea grain deal extended, say parties to agreement