Iran Press/ Europe: Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in which they discussed the Black Sea grain deal, due to expire on Monday, and a summit in South Africa next month, the Kremlin said on Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, in a call with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa said that the main objective of the deal was to allow Ukrainian grain exports to resume.
He added this major goal is not achieved yet.
The deal that eased fears of a global food crisis sparked by the offensive in Ukraine is due to expire late Monday unless Russia agrees to renew it.
"The main goal of the deal, namely the supply of grain to countries in need, including on the African continent, has not been implemented," Putin said according to a Kremlin statement.
A memorandum on unhindered Russian food and fertilizer exports had been signed in parallel to the grain deal.
Russia however says that obstacles to its own exports remain, and threatens to pull out of the grain deal over the issue. 219
