FT: Russia 'Pushing Plan' To Ship Grain To 'Countries In Need'

The Financial Times has reported that Russia is "pushing a plan" to supply Africa with its own agricultural exports and "cut Ukraine out of global markets."

• According to FT, the plan would involve both Qatar and Turkey but "neither country has agreed to the idea."
• FT: "A person familiar with the matter said Moscow had not formally approached Doha about the initiative, but added that Qatar would be unlikely to agree if it did."
• If Moscow can secure an alternative grain initiative for its African partners it would significantly limit the political risk associated with maintaining its naval blockade on Ukrainian ports.
• We flagged in a bullet this morning that securing Russian grain supply to exposed Africa states would be crucial for Russia to maintain its relatively strong support in Africa: LINK
• Any signal that Turkey or Qatar may entertain pursing a Russian plan would reduce the political squeeze on Putin and decrease the prospect of a return to the UN/Turkey brokered Black Sea grain initiative.