MOSCOW: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Friday called on Moscow and Kyiv to find “urgent solutions” to permit the resumption of Ukraine grain exports to Africa, after Russia’s withdrawal led to the collapse of a Black Sea agreement.
Egypt’s President Asks Moscow to Renew Black Sea Grain Export Agreement
The grain deal was agreed in 2022 and permitted around 33 million tons of grain to leave Ukrainian ports, supporting to stabilize of international food prices and avert shortages.
“I highlight the significance of finding urgent solutions to furnish fertilizer and food at prices that will help Africa to overcome this crisis,” Egypt’s president said at a Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
He said, “I hope to come to a solution on the agreement, taking into account the requests and interests of all stakeholders in order put an end to the increase in price,”.
Moscow last week declined to extend a deal brokered by Ankara and the UN, under which Ukrainian grain exports passed via the Black Sea to reach international markets, including Africa, easing pressure on food prices.
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Russia withdrew from the deal after protesting for months that the parts of the agreement that permitted for the export of Russian fertilizer were not honored.
Russian President Putin on Thursday opened a two-day summit in Saint Petersburg with leaders from Africa, offering free grain to six nations on the continent.
Moscow has sought in recent years to increase its influence in the content of Africa, and its Wagner group has been an active player in many African nations in recent years.
