EU criticises Russia’s ‘cynicism’ on Black Sea grain deal at G20 summit

AFP / Sajjad Hussain

The European Union criticised Russia on Saturday for its “cynicism” in pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal, saying the provide of one million tons of grain to African international locations was a “parody of generosity”.

In a speech on the annual G20 summit in New Delhi, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, mentioned the grain deal had delivered to susceptible international locations greater than 30 occasions the quantity supplied to Africa by Russia.

“And what cynicism … you did not accept this,” Michel mentioned in feedback on the grain deal he directed on the Russian summit consultant, Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

“Not only have you decided to pull out of this agreement on the Black Sea, but at the same time, you are attacking the port infrastructure,” he mentioned.

“You are blocking the ports that give access to the Black Sea and even to the Danube.”

Russia stop the deal in July, a yr after it was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, complaining that its meals and fertiliser exports confronted obstacles and inadequate Ukrainian grain was going to international locations in want.

“To add insult to injury, Russia is offering 1 million tons of grain to African countries in a parody of generosity,” Michel mentioned.

“What cynicism and contempt for African countries,” he mentioned, including that the Black Sea deal had delivered exports of greater than 30 million tons up to now, mainly to essentially the most susceptible nations.

In Moscow, the Kremlin mentioned it was sticking to its circumstances for a return to the deal.

Earlier on Saturday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the summit concerning efforts to revive the deal, two sources with data of the matter mentioned, with out giving additional particulars.

The news adopted Erdogan’s remarks this week that it could possibly be potential to revive the deal, urging Ukraine to melt its negotiating place and export extra grain to Africa quite than Europe. However, Ukraine opposes the concept of easing sanctions.

The embassies of the 2 international locations in New Delhi didn’t instantly reply to emailed requests for remark after the sources spoke on situation of anonymity on the summit sidelines.

However, there was no plan for the G7 grouping to announce something new on the New Delhi summit, a Japanese official accountable for feedback on the G20 and G7 blocs, the latter of which is being chaired by the nation this yr, instructed Reuters.

Earlier, Japan mentioned the international minister would meet his Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv on Saturday.