There has been growing concern in washington that the deal was being worked on by russia and north korea, it followed a visit to north korea by the Russian Defence minister. And so now in the last few hours we have confirmation from officials in washington that it is believed as you say that kim jong un and Vladimir Putin will meet at some point at a place to be decided it seems or at least revealed in russia over the next few weeks. A very high stakes meeting, they had met before 2019 was the last time in russia but clearly the situation is different now. We know that russia needs more Artillery Ammunition with very few friends around the world. It is perhaps telling they are turning to a pariah state, like north korea, too it seems source this weaponry that they crucially need to pursue the war in ukraine. That would not be one sided, what we understand and this is been reported by the new york times, this would come at a price and the price for north korea would be advanced technolo
Translation i would like to iterate our principal position, we will be ready to consider the possibility of reviving the grain deal, i told the president about it today and we would do it right away. As soon as all the agreements recorded on lifting sanctions on the export of russian Agricultural Products are lifted. Ukraines black sea ports are now effectively blockaded by russia, experts say it will have to rely heavily on its ports along the danube river to export grain into neighbouring romania from where it can be transported further afield as romanias ports remain open. For many countries the grain from russia has been critical, north africa where they have been experiencing drought that has been a real problem. To discuss whats at stake im joined by arnaud petit, council. Are you disappointed they could not Reach Agreement to day . There are considerations like financial transactions, we know that now it and cannot be happening just in well the Russian Agricultural Bank be recon
the significance of the attacks again is to intimidate the ukrainians. it s also to intimidate the outside world, as russia has pulled out of this grain agreement and the russians are trying to present to the global south, particularly in african countries, that they are prepared to furnish humanitarian grain assessments to the global south and they are accusing the ukrainians of not having done that. but russia definitely, at the beginning of the war, had its sights on taking 0desa and it hasn t given them up. president putin had indicated that in some sense he would be willing to reach an agreement on this grain deal do you think there is any room at this point for negotiation to reach an agreement with russia? well, the russians want some sanctions lifted and they want the agricultural bank that is involved in this to be reunited with the swift international payments system, so it s possible that
the russians agreement with russia? well, the russians want agreement with russia? well, the russians want some i the russians want some sanctions lifted and they want the agricultural bank that is involved in this to be reunited with the swift international payments system so it s possible that if other concessions were made to russia they might re enter it. but it doesn t look at the moment as if they re willing to do this unless get significant sanctions relief.- unless get significant sanctions relief. ., ., sanctions relief. you mentioned african leaders, sanctions relief. you mentioned african leaders, president i african leaders, president putin is hosting an africa summit meeting later this week, what assurances will he be looking to get from african leaders particularly on the war in ukraine? in ukraine? well, the african leaders have in ukraine? well, the african leaders have sent in ukraine? well, the african leaders have sent a - in ukraine? well, the african i l