Vladimir Putin and South African President Jacob Zuma discussed an African peace plan to end the war and a critical grain deal for some of the world’s poorest people
With the Black Sea grain agreement set to expire on Monday unless Russia and Ukraine reach an agreement, Putin stated once more that his criteria had not been met.
The grain agreement provides a safe route for Ukrainian wheat exports to underdeveloped countries across the Black Sea, and advocates claim it helps cut food prices in Africa.
However, Putin has postponed renewing the agreement on the grounds that the West must reduce trade barriers to Russian food and fertiliser exports in exchange.
When it comes to the African peace project, the Kremlin provided some facts from today’s phone chat between Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Putin rejected a group of African leaders, including Mr Ramaphosa, last month’s attempt to reach an agreement between Ukraine and Russia on a series of “confidence-building measures” because they were based on Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders.
South Africa has taken a more nuanced approach to the conflict than the West or major Russian allies like Belarus.
While proposing the peace proposal, the US accused the country of offering weaponry to Moscow in December, which it rejects.
