Putin pledges reliable food supply to Africa
Russia's promised to continue being a reliable food supplier to the African continent.
President Vladimir Putin gave that assurance at the BRICS summit of major emerging economies, which got underway in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Putin, who is facing an international arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, has sent a diplomat to the conference on his behalf.
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A speech he recorded in advance was played on a giant screen at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Speaking via a translator, Putin says Russia's supply of goods abroad is being sabotaged.
He's also dismissed what he's called the hypocritical blame directed at Moscow for the world market crisis.
"Russia grain exports to Africa amount to 11.5 billion tonnes in 2022 and almost 10 million tonnes in the first six months of 2023, and this is despite the unlawful sanctions imposed on use that seriously hinder the exports of Russian food products and complicate transport, logistics, insurance and bank payments."
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The bloc, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is holding its first in-person meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic.
