Putin: Russia Still World’s Biggest Wheat Exporter

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed, on Thursday, that Moscow remains the world’s largest wheat exporter.

"Russia remains the world’s largest wheat exporter," Putin said at the first Eurasian Economic Forum, adding that not long ago the country only purchased wheat, "whereas now [Russia] is the world’s number one [wheat] seller."

He highlighted that "such countries as the [United] States or China produce more," adding though that "they consume more as well," and that "Russia has become number one on the foreign market."

"Within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union an industrialization roadmap has been formed, which has over 180 projects with the total amount of investments exceeding $300 billion, a program for development of agriculture industry including over 170 projects worth $16 billion has been drafted," Putin noted.

In the same vein, the Russian leader affirmed that the countries desirous to harm Russia by sanctions make damage to themselves.

"Those seeking after that [sanctions against Russia] make damage to themselves in the first instance. Whatever is the stability of economies of the countries pursuing such short-sighted policy, the current state of the global economy shows our positions are proper and justified," he mentioned.