Why Russia agreed to export grain from Ukraine

The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba believes that Russia agreed to export grain from Ukraine in order to preserve its reputation among the countries of Asia and Africa. Currently, negotiations to open exports are almost at the final stage.

Mr Kuleba discussed this in an interview with Forbes.

“Logically, I see only one argument why Putin should agree. This is his desire to show countries that keep neutrality or are more inclined to the Russian position on the war (in Africa and Asia) that he saved them from hunger, from rising food prices. Otherwise, I donʼt understand why he might need it,” explained Mr Kuleba.

Further, Russia undermines its own efforts to suppress the Ukrainian economy by agreeing to this. According to Mr Kuleba, as of now, Putin has Russiaʼs reputation in Asian and African countries on one hand, and Ukraineʼs income reduction on the other.

At the same time, Mr Kuleba is sure that Ukraine would not agree to any terms that would open the way for Russia to attack from the sea.