African Leaders Call on Putin to Lift Ukraine's Grain Blockade

African Union Chairman Azali Assoumani called on Russia to end its blockade on Ukrainian grain exports, warning that the blockade could lead to a spike in food prices and worsen the food security emergency in the Horn of Africa. Assoumani's appeal came after Moscow renewed its blockade on Ukrainian ports, preventing Kyiv from shipping grain, and attacked Ukrainian grain stores and port facilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is using the Russia-Africa summit to cut Ukrainian grain out of African markets, claimed that Russia would replace Ukrainian grain supplies to Africa. However, Assoumani pushed back, stating that access to both Ukrainian and Russian grain was crucial for African countries. Critics have warned that Russia's move to cut Ukraine out of the African market would leave African nations more dependent on Russian grain.