Russian-African summit in St. Petersburg: Amid Russia's withdrawal from grain deal, Putin promises African leaders free grain
Meanwhile, the Russian-African summit takes place in St Petersburg. The meeting comes amid Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal, thanks to which African countries have continued to receive food from Ukraine for almost a year. In return, Vladimir Putin has promised six African countries free grain and announced that Russia has cancelled Africa's $23bn debt. Vladimir Putin is using the St Petersburg summit to try to boost Russia's ties with Africa, promising increased trade and investment in the region and to make up for the loss of relations with Western countries.