Ramaphosa and other African leaders back Putin’s reasons for pulling out of Black Sea Grain Initiative

President Cyril Ramaphosa and other leaders of the African peace initiative on the Russia-Ukraine war have backed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s justification for pulling out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which had released more than 32 million tonnes of Ukrainian cereals on to the world market.

Under the deal, which began a year ago, Russia lifted its blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports to allow it to export its grain. The initiative earned vital foreign exchange for Ukraine and helped to bring down global food prices, which were hitting Africa hardest. 

But last month Putin pulled out of the initiative, insisting he would reinstate it only if Western countries removed the obstacles which he said were hindering Russia’s exports of its own grain and fertiliser. Food and fertiliser are specifically exempt from the general sanctions which Western nations imposed on Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But Moscow has claimed that other sanctions, such as on shipping and finances, have indirectly impeded its food and fertiliser exports. 

Speaking for the seven African nations in the peace initiative, Ramaphosa told Putin at the Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg last Friday that they wanted him to reinstate the Black Sea Grain Initiative because Russia’s resumption of the blockade on Ukrainian ports was increasing food prices and food insecurity.

In a closed meeting, Putin later told the African leaders that he would only reinstate the initiative if Western countries lifted the restrictions on Russian food and fertiliser exports.

Supportive statement