Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, who is on a diplomatic assault in Egypt, has denied that Moscow is to blame for the global food crisis. He claimed that Western governments were distorting the reality about the effect of sanctions on global food security in an address to Arab League ambassadors in Cairo.

He accused Western countries of attempting to impose their domination on others. Grain shortages caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine have devastated most of the Arab countries and Africa.

A historic agreement agreed on Friday to restart Ukraine’s grain exports is in jeopardy after Russia attacked targets in the port of Odesa on Saturday. Lavrov would then travel to three African countries to urge support for the conflict.

Lavrov said that Western nations’ “aggressiveness” in imposing sanctions on Russia indicated one simple conclusion: “It is not about Ukraine, it is about the future of the world order.

“They say everybody must support a rules-based world order, and the rules are written depending on what specific situation the West wants to resolve in its own favour.”

Lavrov had earlier met with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry.

Egypt has strong links with Russia, which sends wheat, weapons, and a big number of tourists until the invasion of Ukraine begins. Following his talks with Shoukry, Lavrov stated at a joint news conference that the West was prolonging the conflict despite knowing “what and whose end it will be.”

It is the first stop on Lavrov’s brief trip of Africa, which will also include stops in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Congo-Brazzaville.

Lavrov stated in a piece published in local publications prior to his journey that his country had always “sincerely supported Africans in their struggle for emancipation from the colonial yoke.”

He went on to say that Russia appreciated Africans’ “balanced stance” on the Ukraine crisis.

According to the African Development Bank, Ukraine and Russia typically supply more than 40 per cent of Africa’s wheat. Egypt is a major user of Ukrainian wheat. It imported 3.62 million tonnes of it in 2019, the most of any country.

However, in his article, Lavrov denied that Russia was “exporting starvation” and blamed it on Western misinformation. He went on to say that Western sanctions against Russia have increased “bad tendencies” in the international food market caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sergei Lavrov is attempting to persuade African countries that siding with Russia is preferable to side with the West, using statements like “we’ll assist you complete the process of decolonization.”

He went on to say that Russia appreciated Africans’ “balanced stance” on the Ukraine crisis.

According to the African Development Bank, Ukraine and Russia typically supply more than 40 per cent of Africa’s wheat. Egypt is a major user of Ukrainian wheat. It imported 3.62 million tonnes of it in 2019, the most of any country.

However, in his article, Lavrov denied that Russia was “exporting starvation” and blamed it on Western misinformation. He went on to say that Western sanctions against Russia have increased “bad tendencies” in the international food market caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sergei Lavrov is attempting to persuade African countries that siding with Russia is preferable to side with the West, using statements like “we’ll assist you complete the process of decolonization.”

(Adapted from BBC.com)

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