Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that the West must remove restrictions on exports of Russian grain.
"We will facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain, but we are proceeding from the fact that all restrictions related to air deliveries for the export of Russian grain will be lifted," Putin told reporters in Tehran after talks with the presidents of Iran and Turkey.
Russia's military intervention in Ukraine has hampered shipments from one of the world's biggest exporters of wheat and other grain, sparking fears of global food shortages.
"As you know, Americans have lifted -- essentially lifted -- restrictions on the supply of Russian fertilizers to the world markets," Putin said.
"If they sincerely want to improve the situation on the international food markets, I hope the same will happen with the supply of Russian grain for export."
Cereal prices in Africa, the world's poorest continent, have surged because of the slump in exports from Ukraine, sharpening the impact of conflict and climate change and sparking fears of social unrest.
The United Nations has said Africa faces an "unprecedented" crisis caused by the conflict.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Car That Putin Gifted To Kim Jong Un Uses Parts From South Korea: Report No Topic Off-Limits For PM Modi's Talks With Vladimir Putin: Russia Russian Military Says It Captured 2 More Ukrainian Villages Updates: Hathras Stampede Death Count Rises To 121, Hunt On For Godman Day After 121 Die In Stampede, Top Cops At Accident Site, Godman's Ashram "Almost Fell Asleep": Biden Reacts To Debate Debacle Against Trump Sensex Crosses 80,000 For First Time, Nifty At Lifetime High Man Tattoos Delhi's Vada Pav Girl's Face On Arm. Internet Says "Cover Up" Who Is Bhole Baba, UP Godman Whose Satsang Led To Stampede That Killed 121 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.