Putin urges UN to influence EU to lift sanctions on Russian fertilizer exports to developing states

By Elena Teslova and Ceyhun Alizade

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged the UN to influence the European Commission on the issue of lifting sanctions on the export of Russian fertilizers to developing countries.

Speaking at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Uzbek city of Samarkand, Putin recalled that the EU eased the restrictive measures on the shipments of Russian fertilizers to Europe, however, he said, such an approach discriminates the developing countries.

"Using the opportunity, I ask presenting here today UN Under-Secretary-General (for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary) DiCarlo to influence the (European) Commission's decision and demand from the European Commission that they remove discriminatory restrictions against developing countries," Putin said.

Russia is ready to transfer 300,000 tons of fertilizers to developing countries free of charge once the necessary conditions are created, Putin said, explaining Moscow's step by economic policies that are "stripped of egoism."