Yuming Zhao1; 1 Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, CASS, China
Discussion
Russia has superior natural conditions and attaches great importance to agricultural development andgrain production. In recent years，on the basis of ensuring domestic food security，Russia’s export of grain and fertilizer has steadily increased. Russia utilizes three major food diplomacy channels: exporting grain and fertilizers，providing food aid，and participating in global governance of food issues to promote its domestic food production and agricultural development，ensure food security for its own and member states of the Eurasian Economic Union，prevent Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union from being impacted by world food security issues，improve Russia’s food competitiveness and reap economic dividends，and develop foreign relations and expand diplomatic influence. After the comprehensive escalation of Ukraine Crisis，exports of grain and fertilizer have been hindered，and Western markets have beenseverely damaged. Russia has begun to adjust its strategic direction in food diplomacy，while maintaining its grain production capacity and export potential，shifting its focus on grain and fertilizer exports to friendly countries and exploring non － Western currency settlements. Russia has taken multiple measures to respond to Western restrictions and crackdowns，and continues to participate in global food security governance within a multilateral framework. The core task of Russia’s food diplomacy has shifted from obtaining economic dividends to strategic tools，with the aim of breaking Western sanctions and diplomatic difficulties，and maintaining stable relations with non －Western countries. Food diplomacy has become another powerful external strategic toolfor Russia，in addition to energy diplomacy. Russia and China can better safeguard their food security through complementary advantages and work together to make greater contributions to overcoming the global food crisis.
