Lavrov in Africa: Russia aiming for regime change in Ukraine

Ukraine says it’s prepared to restart grain exports through the Black Sea despite a Russian missile strike on the port city of Odesa. The attack happened just one day after the two countries signed a deal to resume exporting to global markets despite ongoing war. After initially denying any involvement – Russia said its missiles hit a Ukrainian military target. The agreement aims to get Ukrainian crops safely out via ship and help ease a global food crisis. Millions of tons of grain have been trapped since the invasion, due to Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and blockade of its ports. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says his country is aiming for regime change in Ukraine and hopes to unite Ukrainians and Russians. He made the comments in Cairo during the first leg of a tour of African countries. He will also visit Ethiopia, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. At talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Egypt’s foreign minister, Lavrov said Russian grain exporters were committed to meeting their orders in full. He reaffirmed that the deal on the safe export of Ukrainian grain remains in place. Lavrov also indicated what he called ‘illigitimate’ sanctions mean Russia is looking to reorient its foreign policy towards Africa and other parts of the world.