Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is closely examining proposals made by African leaders to end the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the US reportedly aims to deliver Abrams tanks to Kyiv.
The Russian president has said he welcomes a plan from African nations to steer Moscow and Kyiv toward a peace deal.
He was speaking at the Russia-Africa summit, which comes after Russia pulled out of a deal to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea.
An African delegation last month proposed military de-escalation, security guarantees for both sides and a mutual recognition of sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has traveled to Odesa and visited the historic Orthodox cathedral days after it was attacked by Russia.
Kyiv says Russia threatening civilian vessels in Black Sea
The chief of staff of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia is threatening civilian vessels in the Black Sea and has urged the world to denounce "the methods of the terrorists."
Moscow has backed out of a dealthat the United Nations and Turkey brokered that allowed Ukraine to safely export grain across the Black Sea.
It warned that any ships heading to Ukrainian ports could be considered military targets.
"Russian warships are threatening civilians in the Black Sea, violating all norms of international maritime law," Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Separately, Ukraine's border guard service said it had intercepted a warning to a civilian vessel from a Russian warship near an unspecified Ukrainian port on Thursday.
The statement quoted the Russian party as saying: "I am warning you about the ban on movement to the ports of Ukraine."
