"Putin proposes free grain for Africa in exchange for trade conditions"

Russia has set conditions for any further extension of the Black Sea grain deal, including the restoration of access to the SWIFT financial messaging system for Russian state-owned agriculture-focused bank Rosselkhozbank, a resumption of farm machinery supplies, and the unblocking of foreign assets and accounts held by Russian agricultural companies. President Vladimir Putin suggested that if the conditions were not met, Moscow could supply free grain to "especially needy African countries". The deal, which aims to combat a global food crisis partly fuelled by Russia's actions in Ukraine, was renewed for 60 days after Moscow said any further extension beyond May 18 would hinge on the removal of some Western sanctions.