The problem lies in the fact the West continues to impose and keep sanctions on food and fertilisers from Russia." The report added that UN officials are trying to revive the Black Sea grain deal, which Russia quit in July – a year after it was brokered by the UN and Turkiye – complaining that its own food and fertiliser exports faced obstacles and that not enough Ukrainian grain was going to countries in need. Erkhov said that Russia proposed an initiative to deliver wheat free of charge to the poorest African countries. "We expect 200,000 tons of grain to be sent by the end of the year. Two ships already departed some days ago to Somalia and Burkina Faso." READ: Turkiye agrees in principle to handle 1 million tons of grain for Africa