EU leaders to discuss Ukraine grain blockade as Moscow-Kyiv war enters day 97

After securing a compromise overnight to slap an embargo on most Russian oil imports, European Union leaders will focus Tuesday on how to help Ukraine export millions of tons of grain blocked by the war.

The leaders are expected to call on Russia to halt its attacks on transport infrastructure in Ukraine and lift its blockade of Black Sea ports so that food can be shipped out, notably from Odessa.

Ukraine says Russia has prevented the export of 22 million tons of its grain and is fueling a global food crisis.

The U.N. says African countries imported 44% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine between 2018 and 2020.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the EU's sanctions are making things worse.

Putin has said he would be willing to help ease concerns if the restrictive measures are lifted.