President Vladimir Putin criticized the decision made by the Baltic states to prevent the movement of cargo ships loaded with Russian fertilizer in EU ports. He described this action as “irrational behavior” that ignores the economic interests of nations in need.
According to President Putin, approximately 200,000 tons of Russian fertilizer are still stuck in Baltic ports. The motivation behind this blockade is allegedly the EU member states’ reluctance to allow Russia to generate revenue from selling these shipments. Putin emphasized that Russian companies were willing to give away the fertilizer for free, making the Baltic states’ actions inexplicable.
The President accused the EU countries of disregarding the needs of developing nations and the world’s poorest states. He claimed that the emphasis on Ukrainian grain shipments by the West was just a cover and described the EU’s policy as “twice as amoral.”
Putin further criticized the beneficiaries of the previous year’s grain-movement deal, stating that major traders had purchased Ukrainian grain at a discount and sold it at market prices to prosperous countries. He questioned the relevance of this arrangement to the interests of developing countries and starving peoples. While Ukrainian grain comprises less than 5% of world markets, Russian grain accounts for more than 20%.
The movement of Russian fertilizers to global markets had been part of a significant Black Sea safe-grain-shipment deal. This agreement, mediated by the UN and Türkiye in July 2022, had unblocked Ukraine’s southern ports, enabling Kiev to export grain while granting concessions to Russia.
However, Moscow recently refused to renew the deal, citing failures by the West to fulfill its promises. These promises included reconnecting its banks to the SWIFT international payment system, reopening a key ammonia pipeline, allowing imports of agricultural machinery and parts, and unblocking transportation insurance. Moscow also claimed that Kiev had misused the humanitarian corridors to smuggle weapons into its Black Sea ports.
The decision by the Baltic states to block shipments of Russian fertilizer raises concerns about the impact on developing nations in need. By preventing these cargoes from reaching their destinations, they disrupt global trade and hinder access to essential resources. President Putin argues that this behavior disregards the principles of fairness and cooperation among nations.
In conclusion, President Putin has criticized the Baltic states’ decision to block shipments of Russian fertilizer, highlighting the adverse effects on countries in need. He emphasizes the irrationality of this behavior and argues that it ignores the interests of developing nations. The ongoing dispute between Russia, Ukraine, and the West further exacerbates the situation and raises concerns about the impact on global trade and access to essential resources.
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