The African Union’s Chairperson Azali Assoumani mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plans to offer free grain to the continent weren’t enough and {that a} cease-fire was wanted.
In a closing tackle to a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, he additionally mentioned Putin had proven readiness to barter with Ukraine, and that “the other side” now wanted to be persuaded.
Putin had advised the African leaders that Russia was prepared to produce Africa with grain, a few of it totally free, after refusing final week to increase the Türkiye- and U.N.-brokered Black Sea grain initiative, which had permitted Ukraine to export grain safely from its seaports regardless of the struggle.
That, and Russia’s subsequent bombing of Ukrainian grain export amenities and shops, has despatched the worldwide value of grain hovering.
“The president of Russia demonstrated that he is ready to help us in the field of grain supply,” Assoumani mentioned. “Yes, this is important, but it may not be quite enough. We need to achieve a cease-fire.”
“President Putin has shown us that he is ready to engage in dialogue and find a solution,” he added. “Now we need to convince the other side.”
Putin had advised the African leaders that it was Kyiv that was refusing to barter with him beneath a decree it handed shortly after he claimed final September to have annexed 4 Ukrainian areas that Russia partly controls.
Russia has lengthy mentioned it’s open to talks however that they need to take account of those “new realities” on the bottom.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the thought of a cease-fire now that would depart Russia in command of almost a fifth of his nation and provides each side’ forces time to regroup after 17 grinding months of struggle.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
