Putin using grain deal as a ‘political tool to weaken Ukraine & create a wedge’ among Western allies

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that a landmark deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain safely through the Black Sea amid the war won’t be restored until the West meets Moscow’s demands on its own agricultural exports. Putin’s remarks dashed hopes that his talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could revive the agreement, seen as vital for global food supplies, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. As Africa continues to suffer the brunt of the collapse of the UN-backed grain export accord, “Putin is doing fine with or without the grain deal,” former US diplomat Matthew Bryza tells FRANCE 24’s François Picard. “Last year, Russia set a record for the most grain exports in its history. Russia is getting its grain out.” Ambassador Bryza is all but certain that Putin is using the grain deal “as a political tool to weaken Ukraine & create a wedge” among Ukraine’s Western allies actively enforcing sanctions against Russia. The former US diplomat is currently Board Member of the Jamestown Foundation think tank and Managing Partner at Ballard Partners.