Sanctions against Russian businessmen complicate the process of supplying fertilizers and food to world markets. Vladimir Putin stated this on June 30 during negotiations with the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, who arrived in the Kremlin with a message from Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelensky, the essence of which was not disclosed. According to the head of the Russian Federation, the restrictions imposed against some Russian ports also have a negative effect. However, Moscow is ready to conscientiously fulfill all its contractual obligations. However, for uninterrupted trade, it is important, first of all, to restore the supply chains violated by the sanctions.
Eastern tour
For Russia, the development of bilateral relations with Indonesia, a country that claims to be a leader at least in the Asia-Pacific region, undoubtedly plays an important role. Especially if we take into account the good dynamics of trade and economic cooperation between the two states. In 2021, Indonesia ranked 40th in terms of the share of Russian trade turnover. At the same time, last year mutual trade increased by more than 40% compared to 2020.
However, Joko Widodo’s visit attracted increased attention from the media and the international community, for entirely different reasons. Indonesian politician managed to visit Kyiv before arriving in Moscowwhere he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Thus, Widodo became the first leader of the Asian region, who after February 24, during one trip, visited both warring parties at once. At the same time, the Indonesian president, while in the Kremlin, conveyed a message to Vladimir Putin from the head of Ukraine, the content of which has not yet been made public.. In addition, the high-ranking guest expressed his readiness to establish communication between the two leaders.
The Ukrainian theme as a whole turned out to be in the focus of attention of the bilateral meeting. And it pushed into the background even such issues as the resumption of direct flights from Moscow to Bali or the participation of the Russian side in a large-scale initiative to transfer the Indonesian capital to the island of Kalimantan, which were discussed during the bilateral meeting.
In particular, presidents touched on the food crisis in the worldfor which Western leaders blame Russia and its special military operation. The main thesis of European and overseas politicians is, first of all, that the Russian Federation has blocked several million tons of grain in Ukrainian ports. Namely, Ukraine, like the Russian Federation, has always been considered the main producer and exporter of grain.
As Vladimir Putin stated, Russia does not interfere with the export of Ukrainian grain and is ready to guarantee the safety of ships. However, the problem is connected with the fact that Kyiv has mined the approaches to its ports.. The Russian leader once again noted that the amount of Ukrainian grain does not affect the world market in any way. According to the estimates of the Russian side, about 5 million tons of grain are now stored on the territory of the neighboring country, which represents 2.5% of world production.
Meanwhile Western sanctions against the owners of a number of Russian companies hinder the supply of fertilizers and food from RussiaVladimir Putin added. In addition, the adopted sanctions against some Russian ports and restrictions on the insurance of merchant ships also have a negative impact, he noted.
Although the Western states did not formally impose sanctions on Russian food products and fertilizers, they created such conditions that it became much more difficult to supply them to foreign markets., the president explained. The steps taken, in particular, complicate the conclusion of contracts and the conduct of financial transactions, the Russian president stressed at the beginning of the open part of the negotiations.
Following the meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, he added that the Russian Federation intends to conscientiously fulfill its contractual obligations for the supply of food, fertilizers, as well as energy carriers and other critical goods.
— In this connection we consider it extremely important to restore supply chains disrupted by sanctions– he said.
Vladimir Putin again reminded that this year the country expects a good grain harvest, which, according to his estimates, will allow Russia to supply up to 50 million tons of this product to foreign markets. Joko Widodo, in turn, noted that the restoration of food supplies in the world is impossible without Russian and Ukrainian participation.
big twenty
It is worth noting that Joko Widodo’s desire to mediate the current conflict did not come out of nowhere. After all, it is in Indonesia that the presidents of Russia and Ukraine can arrive at the same time, as Bali will host the G20 summit this November. Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart (the delegation of this country will be able to take part as an observer) have already received invitations to this event.
Despite the fact that both leaders officially accepted them, the participation of the presidents remains in question.. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that there is no understanding yet whether Vladimir Putin himself will visit the island in the Malay Archipelago or another official will head the Russian delegation. Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, noted that his participation would depend on the security situation in Ukraine.
— One more mediator, one more peacemaker will not hurt. Moreover, we have an interesting history of relations with Indonesia since Soviet times.. Indonesia was a prominent member of the Non-Aligned Movement, and in the 60s and 70s it played a big role in the international arena, – said Alexei Portansky, professor at the Higher School of Economics, leading researcher at IMEMO RAS, in an interview with Izvestia.
According to the expert, Indonesia, as the country hosting the G20 this year, plays a special role in the international arena. However a number of Western countries are still trying to ensure that the head of Russia does not participate in the upcoming summit. Recall, for example, that Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi recently said that Indonesia excludes the full-time participation of Vladimir Putin.
— For Russia, this platform retains its importance. Russia does not want to burn bridges here. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin or someone else can go to the summit. In addition, it is possible that Vladimir Putin may speak at the summit via video link.– Alexey Portansky summed up.
According to the expert of the State University of Management Igor Polyachenko, Indonesia managed to resist the pressure of the NATO and EU countries, which are trying in every possible way to isolate Russia. However, the recent BRICS summit demonstrated the failure of this policy.. Jakarta stands for the strengthening of a multipolar and balanced world order. And in this regard, she views Russia as an equal, solid and long-term partner, he told Izvestia.
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