South Africa trying to convince Russia to resume participation in "grain deal"

The Republic of South Africa is trying to convince Russia to return to negotiations on a grain deal that will allow the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

That's according to Bloomberg, Ukrinform reports.

"We are also working hard to persuade the Russian side to address the Black Sea grain deal and interacting with all the relevant parties to see whether we could find a solution to ensure an opening of the Black Sea initiative," South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said during talks with her Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi in Pretoria on August 1.

Hayashi, in turn, noted that Japan regrets Russia's withdrawal from the grain agreement and hopes for its resumption.

The ministers reaffirmed the need for both countries to cooperate on food security in Africa, the Japanese Foreign Ministry added.

As Ukrinform reported, on July 17, Moscow announced its withdrawal from the grain deal concluded last July in Istanbul.

During the Africa-Russia summit in St. Petersburg in late July, African leaders insisted on the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.