Putin cancels $20 billion debt owed by Africa, pledges to supply grain for free

The Russian president has vowed to provide African countries with grain free if the agreement to transport grain through Black Sea ports is not extended in May, announcing that his country has canceled a debt of African countries worth $ 20 billion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged on Monday to provide African countries with grain for free if the agreement to transport grain through Black Sea ports is not extended in May, announcing that his country has canceled debts owed by African countries worth $ 20 billion.

During the Russian-African parliamentary conference, the Russian president said that his country insists on implementing all points of the grain deal, the most important of which is the arrival of grain to Africa.

He added that Africa received only small amounts of grain exports that took place within the agreement and that fully achieving the Russian conditions for renewing the agreement is in the interest of Africa, stressing his country's readiness to provide Africa with a full amount of grain free of charge, in the event that the grain deal is not extended.

In a speech in Moscow to African officials, Putin said: "If we ultimately decide not to extend this agreement within 60 days, we are ready to deliver free of charge from Russia all the quantities that have recently been sent to the neediest countries in Africa."