Russian response to Ukrainian grain grant for Sudan

December 29, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Did Russia express any concern about Ukraine’s decision to provide humanitarian assistance to his country this is what Sudan Tribune sought to verify during the recent days.

On November 24, Ukraine announced the provision of  125,000 metric tons of wheat to four countries in addition to Sudan, including, Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria.

However, Kyiv did not specify the size of Sudan’s share of this humanitarian assistance.

One month after this announcement on December 26, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Sadiq received at his office Russian Ambassador Vladimir Zheltov in Khartoum.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the two sides agreed that delivering wheat, grains and agricultural fertilizers is crucial to the international market, especially in Africa.

A Sudanese diplomat confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the Russian diplomat welcomed the Ukrainian move as it supports the ongoing efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“On the contrary, all countries welcomed the Ukrainian humanitarian assistance for African countries because they are the most affected by the repercussions of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and they are not part of the agenda of the current international political conflict,” further stressed the diplomat who was speaking under the cover of anonymity.

On November 17, Russia and Ukraine agreed to extend for 120 days the UN-mediated Black Sea Grain Initiative which creates a protected sea transit corridor allowing grains and oilseed exports to resume from Ukraine.

According to the UN, Sudan will get 65,340 metric tonnes under this agreement.

The Sudanese diplomat said pointed out that the shipment of Ukrainian assistance to the four countries is subject to many complications, including the approval of Russia and the United Nations, in addition to some parties sponsoring transportation.

With regard to the Urkaine’s wheat to Sudan, he disclosed that France and Norway and other countries would cover the transportation fees, adding the security conditions made it very expensive.

“Sudan is very grateful for the announced Ukrainian grain grant and welcomes Turkey and Russia’s desire to allocate Sudan part of the grain agreed within the framework of the Black Sea Initiative to a number of African countries, including Sudan” he added.

The Sudanese official did not say if Russia also decided to provide grains to Sudan and other African countries.

On November 4, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Russia would send free grain to poor African countries such as Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti.

“We must support low-income countries,” Putain told Erdogan during a telephone call with Erdogan as the two leaders were discussing the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, according to Erdogan.

(ST)