Russian President to offer free grain to six African countries

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered free grain to six African countries.

Putin said this when he was addressing a conference attended by nearly 50 African leaders and officials.

Putin said Russia intends to ship up to 50,000 tonnes of grain aid to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and Central African Republic in the next three to four months.

He said his country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African countries.

Putin has gifted his Zimbabwe counterpart a presidential helicopter which will be delivered soon