Russia belies apprehensions; gives assurance on global grain supply

Russia has given reassurances about global grain movement following apprehension that the supply chain could be impacted following missile strikes in Odesa.

During a recent visit to Cairo in Egypt, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offered reassurances.

At a joint press conference following a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, Lavrov said he had "reaffirmed the commitment of Russian grain exporters to meet all their commitments".


He said, "We discussed specific parameters of cooperation in this area, agreed on further contacts between the relevant ministries, and we have a common understanding of the causes of the grain crisis."

Egypt is one of the world's top wheat importers and last year bought about 80% of those imports from Russia and Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine signed a landmark pact last week allowing grain exports to resume from Black Sea port. The deal, was also signed by the UN and Turkey at the ceremony in Istanbul. Russia has claimed that its forces had hit legitimate military targets - a Ukrainian warship and a weapons store in Odesa - with high-precision missiles.