Putin blames the West: – Warns of worsening food crisis

In a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again said that he is ready to open up to unhindered grain exports from Ukraine.

It writes the Russian state-owned news agency Interfax, according to Reuters.

The UN has said that some countries may experience prolonged famine if grain exports do not return to the same level as before the war. Russia has offered to open a corridor for food exports via the Black Sea, but demands easing of Western sanctions in exchange.

In the telephone conversation with the Western leaders, Putin again demanded this:

– We are ready to resume dialogue with Ukraine and open up for unhindered exports, but only if the West lifts the sanctions, should the message have been.

Western countries have imposed severe sanctions on Russia, Russian companies and people associated with the Kremlin’s leadership since the invasion began on 24 February.