Russia sends fertilizer to Malawi, aims to garner African support

The Russian government has donated 20,000 tonnes of fertilizer to Malawi as part of its efforts to garner diplomatic support from various African countries.

Russia will give 260,000 tonnes of fertilizer to countries on the continent, Russian Ambassador to Malawi Nikolai Krasilnikov said at a handover ceremony in the capital Lilongwe on Monday.

He said he expected African leaders to press for the lifting of international sanctions against Russia when they attend the second Russia-Africa summit to be held in St. Petersburg at the end of July.

Russian Foreign Minister meets with Sudanese leadership

Russian manufacturer Uralchem-Ukalkali had produced the fertilizer and gifted it to Malawi, said Dmitry Shornikov, head of the firm’s Southern Africa branch, who was also involved in the handover.

Russia’s delivery of fertilizer to Malawi is part of a wider ploy to garner support from the Third World. (AP Photo/Gregory Gondve)

The fertilizer should help Malawi achieve its goals of substantially increasing its agricultural production and helping families grow more healthy and nutritious food, Shornikov said.

Death toll from cholera outbreak in Malawi exceeds 1,000

Malawi’s Agriculture Minister Kwale said the fertilizer would reach 400,000 farming households and boost their agricultural production.

Also participating in the event were representatives of the United Nations World Food Programme.

Click here to get the Fox News app

Malawi voted last year to condemn Russia at the United Nations for its invasion of Ukraine. More than 15 other African countries abstained from the vote.