Sergei Karpukh/Reuters
- Russia is sending free grain to its allies in Africa.
- Putin vowed to ship grain to Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia, and Zimbabwe this week.
- That comes shortly after Russia attacked a key Ukrainian port, which sent wheat prices soaring.
Russia is working to cement ties with its African allies, with President Vladimir Putin promising free grain to six African countries this week.
Russia will ship 25,000-50,000 tons of grain each to Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia, and Zimbabwe, Putin said at the St. Petersburg Russia-Africa summit on Thursday.
The proposed donations appear to be a reward for Russia's close African allies, particularly as wheat prices rise. Most nations on the receiving end of shipments are on good terms with Moscow, as many have held back from criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.