Russian deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia is ready to provide a humanitarian corridor for vessels carrying food to leave Ukraine, in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions.
Russia sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February and blocked Ukraine's Black Sea ports. More than 20 m tonnes of grain are stuck in silos in the country, raising concerns about famine in countries dependent on the supplies.
Western powers have been talking about setting up safe corridors for grain exports from Ukraine's ports, although these would need Russian consent.
Rudenko has stated on this point that a solution to the food problem requires a comprehensive approach, including the lifting of sanctions on Russian exports and financial transactions.
It also requires the demining by the Ukrainian side of all ports where ships are anchored. Russia is ready to provide the necessary humanitarian passage, which it does every day.