The Latest Breaking News from St Petersburg

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Thursday that a "handful of donations to some countries" won't offset the dramatic impact of Russia's decision to leave a Black Sea deal that had allowed Ukraine to export grain worldwide. Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a summit with African leaders…

Not right away. But if the mood for talks grows, Africa and China hold advantages that could make them vital mediators.

Two critical issues must be top of mind for African leaders when they meet President Vladimir Putin at the second Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg this week.

The second Russia-Africa Summit takes place in St Petersburg on 27-28 July. This comes at a time of a major geopolitical shift, which African leaders may see as offering beneficial opportunities.

Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko reportedly remarked – suppposedly in a joking tone – during a recent meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg that Wagner mercenaries are eager to move into Poland.

Ukrainian drone attack on ammunition depot in Crimea prompts evacuation, bridge closure; Putin and Lukashenko set to meet in St PetersburgSee all our Russia-Ukraine war coverage

Long a low-profile Russian businessman with a criminal record and a background in catering, the commander has become an increasingly vocal critic of the Kremlin’s defence ministers as the war in Ukraine has progressed

Update from Kyiv signals its counteroffensive is gradually making progress

Prigozhin is meant to have fled the country following a deal in the wake of his short-lived mutiny

Belarus president says head of mercenary group behind failed mutiny is in St Petersburg

Kremlin appears to gain control of Wagner warlord’s troll farms as Patriot media operations shut down