Day 520 of the Invasion of Ukraine: African leaders press Putin for Grain Deal and Peace Plan

Day 520 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

• African leaders press Putin for grain deal and Ukraine peace plan
• Britain's Ministry of Defense sent emails to Russian ally instead of US
• US intelligence: China is helping Russia circumvent Western sanctions
• Zelensky: We are looking for air defense systems to protect Odesa and our entire south
• Russia reported a thwarted Ukrainian drone attack in the Moscow region
• The Armed Forces of Ukraine reached the anti-tank lines of the Russians
• Kim Jong Un and Shoigu at night parade in Pyongyang with drones and nuclear missiles

African leaders press Putin for grain deal and Ukraine peace plan

African leaders pressed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to make progress on their peace plan to end the war in Ukraine and renew a deal on Ukrainian grain exports that Moscow scrapped last week, Reuters reported.

While not directly critical of Russia, their remarks on the second day of the summit with Putin reminded of the depth of anxiety in Africa about the effects of the war, particularly as it relates to food prices.

"This war must end. And it can only end on the basis of justice and reason," African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told Putin and African leaders in St. Petersburg.

"Disruptions to energy and grain supplies must end immediately. The grain deal must be extended for the benefit of all peoples of the world, especially Africans."

"The African (peace) initiative deserves the greatest attention,...