The Russian President will today (Friday) play host to the African Union Chief, the Senegalese President in Black Sea Resort city of Sochi. Their meeting will be anchored on the Russian blockade of the ports of Odesa and Azov and the obstruction of the shipment of Ukrainian grains.
The impact of this tactics by Putin in his invasion of Ukraine has given rise to concern to global food insecurity and hunger, which is projected to hit African counties the most.
Of concern to the African Union Chief and his delegates is the “liberation of the stocks of grain and fertilizers” trapped by the war and the policy decisions of the Russian President.
Millions of tons of grain are said to be blocked from shipment from Ukraine due to the Russian blockade of the country`s ports through the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. This according to the Ukrainian President represents a blockade of about half of the country`s export capacity.
Russia is also accused of stealing most of these grains in the area of Ukraine, which are under Russian occupation. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson made this disclosure, while also claiming that Russia is selling this stolen grains to third countries.
A similar meeting via telephone, was held on Wednesday between President Putin and the Turkish president, which Kremlin confirmed it was in relation to the lifting of the blockade by Russia.
Of Putin’s call with Erdogan, the Kremlin said that:
“Emphasis was placed on ensuring safe navigation in the Black and Azov seas and eliminating the mine threat in their waters,”.
While some AU members have condemned Putin , some have not, and have instead condemned the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) for the war in Ukraine. Nigeria is one of the African countries that have condemned Russia, South Africa on the contrary has defended Russia.
