Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the plenary session of the First Eurasian Economic Forum in Bishkek, via video link from Moscow, Russia May 26, 2022. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS
MAY 2 – Russian President Vladimir Putin told leaders of France and Germany in a phone call on Saturday that Russia is ready to discuss ways to allow Ukraine to resume grain shipments from Black Sea ports said the Kremlin.
Russia and Ukraine account for almost a third of global wheat shipments, while Russia is also a major global exporter of fertilizers and Ukraine is a major exporter of corn and sunflower oil.
“For its part, Russia is ready to help in finding options for the unhindered export of grain, including the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports,” the Kremlin said.
He also informed French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Russia is ready to increase its exports of fertilizers and agricultural products if sanctions against Russia are lifted – a demand he made in recent days in talks with the Italian and Austrian heads of state and government.
Ukraine and Western countries have accused Russia of weaponizing the food crisis caused by its invasion of Ukraine, which has pushed up the prices of grains, cooking oils, fuel and fertilizers.
Russia has blamed western sanctions and mining in Ukrainian ports for the situation.
The Kremlin said Putin also said Russia was ready to resume talks with Ukraine.
“Particular attention was paid to the status of the talks frozen over Kyiv. President Vladimir Putin confirmed the readiness of the Russian side to resume dialogue,” it said.
Reuters reporting; Edited by Kirsten Donovan and Nick Macfie