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African Union chairperson praises France’s willingness to help with Ukrainian grain export

Macky Sall said that after the start of the conflict the Ukrainians rigged the approaches to the port of Odessa with mines

PARIS, June 10. /TASS/. Senegal President Macky Sall, who is also the chairperson of the African Union, on Friday welcomed a statement by France that it’s willing to help with grain export from Ukrainian ports.

"It’s necessary to ensure that it’s wheat that is exported and that the UN and, possibly, countries that wish to do so are involved in the process," he said on BFM television. "I’m glad that President Macron announced tonight that France is ready to participate in escorting ships or unblocking the port of Odessa. That would be very good."

Sall said that after the start of the conflict the Ukrainians rigged the approaches to this port with mines.

The chairman of the African Union said the assurances of the Russian leader that Russia would not interfere with the humanitarian operation to export wheat from Ukrainian ports, provided the necessary agreements are followed, were important. "I think that’s already important. This can be a starting point [for further negotiations]," he said.