Russia hosts summit of African leaders in a bid to extend influence; blames the West for ‘unprecedented pressure’

RUSSIA USING SUMMIT TO SHOW ITS COMMITMENT

Yet, Russia believes it is able to meet the needs of Africa, even without exports from Ukraine.

It has already sent more than 10 million tonnes of grain to the region in the first half of this year. Last year, it exported 11 million tonnes of grain there. 

Irina Deryugina, head of the Center for Agricultural Research and Food Security at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oriental Studies, said: “Economically, it’s possible through the government to purchase the grain from farmers and supply it to Africa.”

The UN has asked Russia to consider rejoining the grain deal, warning that millions of people in Africa and Asia could go hungry.

This comes as global food prices have jumped since Russia pulled out of the deal.

UN programmes are concerned that countries in the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, are depleting their food supplies and are at risk of hunger.

The UN’s World Food Programme, which provides food assistance worldwide, has warned that more than 23 million people in the Horn of Africa are at risk of hunger, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict could even worsen the situation. 

With some African nations heavily reliant on Russia for grain and military equipment, observers said Moscow would be keen to highlight existing cooperation between both sides.