Senegal leader says Putin showed willingness to free up Ukrainian grain exports

Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Senegal's President Macky Sall, who is currently the chairman of the African Union, at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi, Russia June 3, 2022. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - Senegal's President Macky Sall said Russia's Vladimir Putin had told him on Friday he was ready to enable the export of Ukrainian grain to ease a global food crisis that is hitting Africa especially hard.

"President #Putin has expressed to us his willingness to facilitate the export of Ukrainian cereals," Sall wrote on Twitter after meeting Putin in his role as chairman of the African Union.