Blinken calls Russia's promise to supply grain for free ridiculous
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken commented on Russian President Vladimir Putin's promise to supply about 50,000 tons of grain to African countries as compensation for its withdrawal from the grain deal with Ukraine.
He said this in an interview with the BBC Focus on Africa program.
Answering the question of whether it is a sign of goodwill on the part of Russia that it has promised free grain to some of the most affected countries, the Secretary of State said that "all this is not a laughing matter, but it is ridiculous."
He recalled that Russia's offer was "to supply grain to half a dozen countries, about 50,000 tons," while the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which it scuttled, delivered 20 million tons to low- and middle-income countries.
Author - Olena Madiak, 09/08/2023
