Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday said Moscow was close to a deal that would secure free grain exports from Russia to six African countries.

"We are close to completing agreements with six African states, where we intend to supply foodstuffs for free and even carry out delivery and logistics for free," Putin said at a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi.

"Deliveries will begin in the next couple of weeks," he added.