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Added on the 21/07/2022 21:30:38 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
European Union spokesman Peter Stano welcomes the departure of a grain shipment from Ukraine as a "first step" towards mitigating the food crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of its neighbour, but says Brussels still expects the "implementation of the whole deal". Under the July 22 deal signed in Istanbul, Ukraine is to remove the mines and Russia to lift its blockade, but shipments have been slow to restart and fighting on land continues. SOUNDBITE
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls for Russia not to be "marginalised" in talks aimed at reviving a key deal to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. "No process that marginalises Russia on the Black Sea grain initiative will be viable," Erdogan tells reporters after the close of the G20 summit in New Delhi. He also announced a forthcoming meeting on the issue between representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations, without specifying a precise date or location. SOUNDBITE
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warns that Russia's decision to exit a landmark deal for the export of grain from Ukraine could push food prices higher and add to inflation. The withdrawal constitutes "upside risks to inflation", Lagarde says, after the ECB raised rates for the ninth straight time to fight fast-rising consumer prices. SOUNDBITE
French President Emmanuel Macron says Russian President Vladimir Putin made a terrible mistake in pulling out of the deal to protect Black Sea grain exports. "He decided to weaponize food, and I think this is a huge mistake," Macron says. SOUNDBITE
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Russia 'should not have' opted out of the grain export deal. "This should be restored as quickly as possible," he tells reporters at a press conference. "The bottom line is, it's unconscionable," Blinken said. SOUNDBITE