China lifts curbs on Russian wheat to ease impact of sanctions

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China is now fully open to Russian wheat deliveries, as all import restrictions have been lifted, the South China Morning Post has reported, citing the country’s General Administration of Customs.

The announcement was made public, hours after Russia began its military operation in Ukraine, the paper says, adding that the deal could provide a lifeline to the Russian economy as it faces tough economic sanctions from the EU and the US, and at the same time addresses China’s need to enhance food security.

China previously restricted imports from Russia due to phytosanitary concerns, as a measure to control the spread of plant diseases. Earlier this month, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing, China agreed to allow imports from Russia.

The crisis in Ukraine sent global wheat prices to record highs this week. Russia, the world’s top wheat exporter, and Ukraine, dubbed ‘the breadbasket of Europe’, both account for nearly a third of the global wheat export market. China refused to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, instead calling for the sides to “exercise restraint” and accusing the United States of “fueling fire” in the region. Meanwhile, Alphabet’s Google barred Russia’s state-owned media outlet RT and other channels from receiving money for ads on their websites, apps and YouTube videos, similar to a move by Facebook after the Russian incursion into Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.Twitter, Google blocks Russian media channels from its ad platform

Citing “extraordinary circumstances,” Google’s YouTube unit said it was “pausing a number of channels’ ability to monetise on YouTube.” These included several Russian channels affiliated with recent sanctions, such as those by the EU. Ad placement is largely controlled by YouTube.

Google added later that it was also barring Russian state-funded media outlets from using its ad technology to generate revenue on their own websites and apps. In addition, the Russian media will not be able to buy ads through Google Tools or place ads on Google services such as search and Gmail, spokesman Michael Aciman said. “We’re actively monitoring new developments and will take further steps if necessary,” he added.

On Wednesday, the EU unveiled sanctions on individuals such as Margarita Simonyan, whom it called RT’s editor-in-chief and “a central figure” of Russian propaganda. Videos from affected media will also come up less often in recommendations, said YouTube representative Farshad Shadloo. He added that RT and several other channels would no longer be accessible in Ukraine after a Ukrainian government request.

On Saturday, Ukraine Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on Twitter he contacted YouTube “to block the propagandist Russian channels — such as Russia 24, TASS, RIA Novosti”.  RT and Simonyan did not respond to requests for comment. YouTube declined to identify the other channels restricted.

For years, politicians and some users have urged Google for more action on channels linked to the Russian government, concerned that they spread misinformation and should not profit from it. Russia received an estimated $7 million to $32 million over the two years to December 2018 from ads across 26 YouTube channels it backed, digital researcher Omelas told Reuters at the time.

YouTube has previously said it did not treat state-funded media channels that comply with its rules differently from others when it comes to sharing ad revenue. On Friday, Facebook owner Meta Platforms barred Russian state media from running ads or generating revenue from ads on its services.

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