"Unraveling the Russia-Ukraine War: Key Updates on Day 527 of the Invasion"

The EU's foreign policy chief has called on G20 ministers to help persuade Vladimir Putin to reopen Ukraine's main export route for grain to Africa and the Middle East, warning that Russia's decision to walk out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative is endangering lives in war-torn countries. African leaders involved in peace talks over Ukraine have also called for the unlocking of Russian grain and fertilizer exports. Ukraine and the US have started talks on providing security guarantees, and Ukraine's security council secretary revealed that Russian forces had laid extensive minefields during the occupation. The EU has banned drone sales to Belarus and added state TV presenters to its sanctions list. Poland and Lithuania are bracing for provocations from Moscow and Minsk in a strategically sensitive area, and Russia plans to cut oil exports by 300,000 barrels a day in September. Romania will clear customs for ships from Ukrainian ports, and Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdog has detained an armed forces official accused of helping men flee the country in exchange for cash. Russia has expressed support for expanding the BRICS group, and Ukraine reported injuries from a Russian strike on Kherson. Russia claimed to have downed several drones in the Kaluga region.