The West Exhibits Cynical Attitude Towards Developing Countries, Says Putin

The West is exhibiting a cynical attitude towards the food issues of developing countries. This was stated by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, during the BRICS+ format meeting on June 24.

“Now, with this kind of cynicism, some Western countries are approaching these issues by destabilizing global agricultural production and imposing restrictions, for example, on the supply of Russian and Belarusian fertilizers, making it difficult to export Russian grain to global markets,” said the head of the Russian state.

According to Putin, the increase in the prices of basic agricultural products first affects developing countries, where bread and flour are essential means of survival for the majority of the population. He also referred to the situation surrounding the export of grain from Ukraine as hysteria. He noted that there is not that much food blocked to create tension in global markets.

“The hysteria has been artificially inflated in connection with, say, the cessation of the transportation of Ukrainian grain through Black Sea ports. This is about 5-6 million tons of wheat plus 7 million tons of corn. That is something, but globally, of course, it does not solve any issues in the world grain market,” Putin stated.

He also spoke about his readiness to ensure the free passage of food ships, provided that Kyiv clears the ports. “I have already publicly stated many times and want to emphasize once again that Russia does not hinder Ukrainian grain exports from this country and is ready to ensure the free passage of grain ships through international waters, if of course, the Ukrainian military clears the ports and nearby water areas,” he said.

Earlier on June 24, the foreign ministers of the G7 called the events in Ukraine the cause of the global food crisis. Their position is that Russia's special operation exacerbates food insecurity, including by blocking the Black Sea, bombing granaries and ports, and damaging Ukraine's agricultural infrastructure.