US Rejects Putin's Call to Lift Sanctions in Exchange for Grain

The United States (US) has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's call for the West to lift its economic sanctions. According to the Kremlin,

Putin told Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi that Russia would release ships carrying food and fertilizer in order to ease a looming global food crisis, but only “on one condition: the lifting of politically motivated restrictions by the West', according to the German news agency.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Demitry Peskov said that "it is possible to allow the resumption of grain exports from Ukraine if sanctions against Russia are lifted."

However, White House spokeswoman Karen-Jean-Pierre said it was the Russian naval blockade, not sanctions, that prevented the shipment of tons of grains.

There are currently no discussions about lifting the sanctions, Jean-Pierre added.