Blinken talks tough with Russia over grain.

Hello, and you're listening to the Marketplace Morning Report.

Live from the BBC World Service, I'm Leana Bern.

Thanks so much for joining us and a very good morning to you.

The US Secretary of State has told the BBC that Russia needs to rejoin the Black Sea

grain deal to help African countries.

Anthony Blinken also said the economic community of West African States had Washington's full

support for its position on the recent military coup in Niger.

The group had been given coup leaders in Nehemiari, seven days to step down or face military

intervention.

He's been telling the BBC's Wahingamorara.

He's worried supporters of the coup in Niger have been seen waving Russian flags.

And here's why we're concerned, because every single place that this group, Wagner Group,

has gone death, destruction, and exploitation have followed.

I think what happened and what continues to happen in Niger was not instigated by Russia

or by Wagner, but to the extent that they try to take advantage of it, that wouldn't

be good.

For those who support the halting of the Black Sea grain deal or are illogical at it,

they argue that the West is mainly concerned about Russia's growing influence over Africa,

and the issue isn't just about food supply bearing in mind only 3% of Ukraine's grain actually

got to the African continent.

Do you have any views on that?

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