British Intelligence: More than 20 African leaders don't go to summit in Russia because of its withdrawal from 'grain deal'

More than 20 African leaders did not attend Putin's summit due to Russia's withdrawal from the 'grain deal'.

The British Ministry of Defense tweeted this information, citing intelligence data, according to Ukrinform.

“The Russia-Africa Conference convened in St Petersburg on 27 July 2023, with 17 African heads of state attending, down from 43 at the last iteration. The event took place ten days after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI)”, the statement reads.

It is noted that the BSGI had allowed the export of 30 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain to Africa, providing essential food supply to states including Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan.

Read also: Ukraine-NATO Council strongly condemns Russia's withdrawal from grain deal

“As well as the direct disruption of supplies, Russia's blockade of Ukraine is also causing grain prices to rise. The impact of the war in Ukraine will almost certainly compound food insecurity across Africa for at least the next two years” the British Ministry of Defense added.

As reported, on July 17, Moscow announced its withdrawal from the grain deal signed last July in Istanbul. After that, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it would consider ships sailing to Ukrainian ports as military targets.