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Russia willing to deliver grain to poorest countries in any case — Putin

In addition, the Russian president assured that Russia would not obstruct grain shipments from Ukraine to Turkey

SOCHI, November 2. /TASS/. Russia is poised to deliver grain to the poorest nations even if it withdraws from the grain deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, opening a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council on Wednesday.

"In any case, even if Russia quits the deal, we will, as we have stated before, be ready to ship the whole amount of grain, which was delivered from Ukrainian territory, to the poorest countries," he said.

Putin emphasized that the grain deal was agreed on under the pretext of addressing the food security needs of the poorest countries, but they received only 4% of the grain from Ukraine.

"The rest, 46%, went to the European Union," Putin said.

According to the president, if Moscow does quit the agreement in the case that Ukraine violates its commitments, the whole amount of grain, which has been exported from Ukrainian territory for the poorest nations, Russia will ship free of charge.

"For free," Putin underlined.

In addition, the president assured that Russia would not obstruct grain shipments from Ukraine to Turkey.

"In any case, we will not prevent grain exports from Ukraine to Turkey in the future, bearing in mind Turkey’s neutrality in the conflict, the capacity of Turkey’s grain industry and President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan’s efforts to ensure the interests of the poorest countries," Putin stated.

"We have no doubts there, and we will keep cooperating with the Republic of Turkey no matter what," Putin concluded.