President Putin speaks out about the war in Ukraine

The Kremlin said Putin’s statement was made during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on May 28.

The Kremlin stated: “Russia is ready to assist in finding options for unimpeded grain exports, including grain exports from Russia.” Ukraine from the ports of the Black Sea”.

President Putin also told the French President and German Chancellor that Russia is ready to increase its exports of fertilizers and agricultural products if sanctions against Moscow are lifted by the West. This is the request that the Russian President mentioned in his conversations with the leaders of Italy and Austria in recent days.

“Increasing the supply of Russian fertilizers and agricultural products will help reduce tensions in the global food market,” Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends online the Eurasian Economic Forum held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, May 26. Photo: Reuters

After Moscow launched a military campaign in Ukraine, the prices of grain, cooking oil, fuel and fertilizer skyrocketed. However, Russia says such a situation is due to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow.

According to the news agency ReutersRussia and Ukraine account for nearly a third of the global wheat supply. Russia is also a major fertilizer exporter globally, while Ukraine is a major exporter of corn and sunflower oil. Therefore, the closure of Ukraine’s seaports on the Black Sea caused more than 20 million tons of grain to be stockpiled here.

Also in the phone call on May 28, the Kremlin said that Putin announced Russia was ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine. Putin also warned the leaders of Germany and France not to increase arms supplies to Ukraine as it would further destabilize the situation in Ukraine.

Ukrainian soldiers stationed in the town of Marinka, Donetsk region of Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

On the same day, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov announced that Ukraine has begun receiving US-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles and M109 self-propelled howitzers.

Mr. Reznikov shared on Facebook: “The Harpoon missile will strengthen our coastal defense. Trained Ukrainian units will operate them.” Reznikov added that Harpoon complexes will be operated with Ukraine’s Neptune anti-ship missiles to protect the southern coast, including the port of Odesa.

According to Reznikov, Ukraine received many types of heavy artillery, including the US M109 modified to allow Ukrainian troops to attack targets from longer distances. In addition, Ukraine wishes to supply US-made M270 long-range rocket launchers.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the country is trying to increase its supply of weapons and is close to surpassing Russia in both technology and offensive capabilities.