Russia is using "all measures" to provide food to Africa

(MENAFN) Despite the obstacles imposed by Western sanctions, Russia will supply the contractually promised food, fertilizer, energy, and other goods to its African partners, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pledged to the continent in an op-ed published across major African sites on Friday. He claims that Western and Ukrainian propaganda accusing Moscow of attempting to starve Africa is false and only serves to divert attention away from their own failures.

"We are well aware of the importance of Russian supplies of socially important commodities, including food, to many countries around the world. "We are mindful that these supplies play an important role in preserving social stability," Lavrov stated. 

Kiev has accused Moscow of "blockading" Ukrainian Black Sea ports, preventing an estimated 20 million tons of grain from being supplied to buyers worldwide. Russia has frequently said that Ukrainian government forces mined the ports, and the Russian Navy has promised to securely escort any grain cargoes.

The United States and its allies claim that its embargo against Russia in favor of Ukraine does not apply to food and fertilizer. However, as Lavrov pointed out earlier this week in an interview with RT and Sputnik, the sanctions have denied insurance to Russian ships while barring foreign boats from entering Russian ports, essentially cutting off supplies to Africa by sea.

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