BUJUMBURA, Burundi, May 30 – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Tuesday that Moscow intends to deliver a shipment of Russian fertilizers to Nigeria in the near future, free of charge. Lavrov made the statement during a press conference following his visit to Burundi.
In his remarks, Lavrov referenced President Vladimir Putin’s announcement last September, in which he expressed Russia’s readiness to provide 300,000 tons of fertilizers, which had been illegally seized in EU ports, to African countries without any cost. However, the initiative faced opposition from EU leadership, reflecting what Lavrov described as “colonial practices and habits.”
Despite the challenges, Russia persevered, and after six months of efforts, the first shipment of 20,000 tons of fertilizers reached Malawi. More recently, a similar shipment was delivered to Kenya. Lavrov confirmed that another shipment of the same amount of fertilizer is scheduled to be sent to Nigeria in the near future.
Lavrov emphasized the significant efforts made by the World Food Program and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to overcome the openly Russophobic position of some EU members who oppose any initiatives aimed at assisting developing countries if the assistance comes from Russia.
The delivery of Russian fertilizers to African nations serves as a testament to Russia’s commitment to supporting and aiding developing countries in need. The initiative not only provides vital resources but also challenges the discriminatory practices of certain EU members, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.
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