The Kremlin on Tuesday mentioned that Western international locations, notably the U.S. and France, are placing “unprecedented pressure” on African international locations with the intention to stop their participation within the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit.
“Other Western missions are also trying to contribute their share to these efforts in order to try to prevent the holding of this summit, to prevent the representation of African states at this summit,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised journalists throughout a press briefing.
Peskov mentioned that the coverage being pursued by the U.S., France and different Western states “should be condemned and it is worth being condemned.”
“In fact, they deny African countries the sovereign right to choose partners both for expanding cooperation and interaction across various domains and for discussing pressing issues,” he mentioned.
Peskov additionally mentioned that it’s “more important than ever” for Russia to get along with African international locations and proceed dialogue, which he mentioned can be mentioned through the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg on July 27-28.
Meanwhile, in response to a query on proposals by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to increase the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Peskov mentioned that it’s “impossible” to return to the grain deal as a result of it’s not being applied.
“(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin made it clear that Russia is ready to immediately resume the deal as soon as it is implemented,” he added.
On July 17, Russia suspended its participation within the Black Sea grain deal, saying the Russian a part of the settlement was not applied. It sought the loosening of banking restrictions and the power to ship its fertilizer earlier than returning to the settlement.
The settlement, initially signed in July of final yr in Istanbul by Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, was aimed toward resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports halted as a result of Russia-Ukraine struggle, which started in February 2022.
Türkiye has mentioned Western international locations ought to attempt to tackle Russia’s complaints, and that it hopes Russia returns to the deal.
Source: www.anews.com.tr