Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto acknowledged that the bulk of Ukrainian grains has not been shipped to Africa, alluding that the needy countries were not the prime beneficiaries of the “Black Sea Grain Initiative.”
He pointed out that the absence of the grain deal in the markets would negatively impact the African continent. In an interview with “La Stampa” newspaper, he said, “Everything is interlinked. 95% of Ukrainian grains are exported outside of Africa, but when these countries lack these grains, they resort to seeking them elsewhere, leading to an increase in global prices which burdens the financial obligations of African countries buying wheat.”
In response to a question about Italy’s efforts to achieve stability in North Africa, he stated that “the destabilization in these struggling regions is a problem that also affects Europe.”
This statement comes days after Moscow announced the suspension of the grain deal due to the West’s failure to fulfil its part in the deal, affirming the possibility of resuming it after the execution of Russian terms. As an indication of Russia’s constructive and humanitarian stance, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is still ready to supply needy countries with grains for free.
The grain deal was brokered by Ankara between Russia, Ukraine, and the United Nations on July 22, 2022. The agreement stipulates Russia’s permission to export Ukrainian grains via a passage opened by the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, provided that Russian grains and fertilizers are made available to international markets.
However, Western sanctions posed a stumbling block in the path of the agreement’s application. Western countries have not yet fulfilled their commitments not to restrict the movement of Russian exports of fertilizers, grains, oils, and food. Meanwhile, insurance companies and ship services dealing with Russia are being penalized.
