Russia wants to donate fertilizers to emerging countries if Europe relaxes sanctions, says Putin

President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to provide more than 300,000 tonnes of Russian fertilizers stranded in European ports to the developing world free of charge if Europe agrees to further relax sanctions on Russian exports.

Speaking at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan, Putin said Europe had only “partially” removed sanctions that Moscow says block its ability to sell and ship fertilizers around the world.

Putin said Russia welcomed the European Union’s decision to ease some logistical sanctions on Russian exports, but accused the bloc of acting “selfishly” in lifting sanctions only for its own members.

“Only they can buy our fertilizers. But what about the developing world and the world’s poorest countries?” Putin said at the SCO leaders’ summit.

Allowing Russian fertilizers to reach global markets was part of a historic Black Sea grain deal reached with Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations in July. Russia lifted its military blockade of Ukraine’s southern ports and allowed Kiev to start exporting grain.

Putin said Russia has 300,000 tonnes of fertilizer currently in European ports that Moscow was ready to ship free to the developing world when sanctions are lifted.