Russia has no desire to "kill" the dollar, the US itself ceases to provide for its role, which was acceptable to everyone, stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a meeting with students and faculty of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).
"Certainly, we are not building our line against the United States, not against the West. We do not want to kill the dollar. The United States ceases to provide the role of the dollar, which was acceptable to everyone. That's the problem," the minister said.
Russia, Lavrov stressed, will develop relations with those who are "ready for this on the basis of equality and the search for an honest balance of interests."
Lavrov added that the mutual trade turnover of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)b, which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, in national and friendly currencies will reach 90% in 2023.
"If I am not mistaken, last year already 76% of mutual trade and mutual settlements between the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union were conducted not in dollars, but primarily in national and friendly currencies, and this year it is expected to reach 90%," Lavrov said.
Lavrov's remarks came as many countries around the world, led by the countries of the economic bloc of leading emerging economies, BRICS, of which Russia is a founding member, have sought to reduce their reliance on the use of the US dollar, among other popular global currencies. Instead, these countries are shifting to the use of national currencies in mutual trade.
Free Grain Supplies to Africa
During his speech at MGIMO, Lavrov also touched upon the issue of global food security, noting that practical work on organizing free deliveries of Russian grain to six African countries has already begun.
"By the way, speaking of food security - now practical work is already being organized to implement free deliveries of Russian grain, as announced by President [Vladimir] Putin at the Russia-Africa summit, to the six most needy African countries," the minister said.
Lavrov specified that it is planned to deliver about up to 50,000 tons of grain to each state. "In addition, we will also pay for the overhead costs of delivering this batch free of charge," he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a plenary session of the second Russia-Africa summit that Moscow was ready to supply grain free of charge to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic and Eritrea in the coming months.
He also elaborated on the results of July's Russia-Africa Summit.
"The Russia-Africa summit has been held. The results were very good and they are now being put into practice. A list of specific instructions from the President [Vladimir Putin] is being prepared, and several business missions from Moscow and other regions to the continent's countries are being arranged to identify promising areas of practical cooperation," Lavrov said.
The second Russia-Africa Summit took place in St. Petersburg from July 27-28. The summit resulted in the adoption of a final declaration and a plan of joint actions until 2026. Russia and Africa have identified the main areas for further joint work, outlined plans to strengthen foreign policy coordination and increase trade and investment flows and industrial cooperation. The signed documents also seal Russia's and Africa's determination to develop cooperation in the areas of food security, economy and counterterrorism.