Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed that his country will continue to fulfill its obligations regarding food and fertilizer exports to Africa, where some countries critically depend on food supplies from Russia. This statement came during Lavrov's meeting with African ambassadors in Moscow on Wednesday, coinciding with Africa Day, celebrated on May 25 each year.
Lavrov called on African countries to assist Russia in executing contracts in this area by urging the West to lift the sanctions imposed on Russia. He stated, "We invite our friends in the African Union to insistently call on the West to lift the illegal unilateral sanctions that undermine the infrastructure for transport and logistics essential for global trade, which creates risks primarily for the most vulnerable segments of the population."
He also urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to take a firmer stance on addressing the food supply issue in Africa. Lavrov noted that African countries have adopted a balanced position regarding the events in Ukraine, despite American pressure, expressing confidence that they do not yield to such pressure.
He emphasized the necessity for Russia and Africa to work together to establish joint financial mechanisms that are protected from Western pressures. The minister mentioned that Moscow expects to reach an agreement soon with African countries on the details of the anticipated second Russia-Africa summit. For his part, the Dean of the African diplomatic corps in Moscow, Cameroon’s ambassador Mohammed Baba Sily, confirmed that isolating Russia is impossible.
