Russia is willing to cooperate with the “unconditional” export of grain from Ukraine, the Kremlin reported on Saturday. That offer was made in a three-way phone call between President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“Russia stands ready to help find options for unimpeded grain exports, including Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports,” the Kremlin statement said.
In the 80-minute conversation, Macron and Scholz, in turn, urged Putin to negotiate directly with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky. Macron and Scholz called for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of the Russian army from eastern and southern Ukraine.
Destabilization
Putin, in turn, warned of a further “destabilization” of the situation due to the continued supplies of Western weapons to Kiev.
Ukraine is a major exporter of mainly maize and wheat, but is seeing production and exports seriously hampered by the fighting. Russia is also having a hard time getting rid of its grain and fertilizer due to the Western sanctions in force. The two countries produce a third of the world’s wheat, leading to problems in the global food market.