Putin's call for lifting sanctions in exchange for cereals comes from the US

The United States has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's request for the West to lift economic sanctions on Russia.

According to Kremlin, Putin has told Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi that Russia will launch ships with food and fertilizer, to ease the food crisis worldwide, but only if “end politically motivated measures implemented by the West”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said grain exports from Ukraine could be launched if sanctions were lifted against Russia.

However, the White House spokeswoman, Karina Jean-Pierre, has said Russia's naval blockade has blocked several tonnes of products, rather than sanctions.

According to her, there are no discussions on lifting sanctions.

There are no talks. This is Russia's”, she said.

Russia must stop its fight in Ukraine “immediately,”, which is affecting global food security, Jean-Pierre has said.

“Russia is constantly blocking food exports from Ukrainian ports and is increasing hunger in the world”.

Russia and Ukraine are important cereal exporters, so they play an important role in the supply chain.

In recent weeks, the international community has called on Russia to enable the export of Ukrainian wheat.

However, according to Kiev, the Russian navy is blocking Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

Ukraine has accused Russia of blackmail and has called on the West not to lift sanctions until Russia ends the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered on February 24th what he calls a special military operation “” to demilitarise Ukraine.

The West has responded with severe sanctions on Russia, targeting the state economy and Russian oligarchs. /rel