For 100 plus days ever since Russia invaded Ukraine, we have heard the story and we have

told the story that Russia is isolated.

Vladimir Putin is friendless, his war of aggression is impossible to defend.

But a meeting between Putin and another world leader five days ago suggests that maybe

we underestimated Putin.

Maggie Sal, the head of the African Union, is gearing up to hold talks with Vladimir Putin

and Sautchi on Friday.

The Sunnagalese head of state is looking for breakthrough.

Putin has something that much of the world needs very badly and he knows it and he's using

it to make allies.

Coming up on today's explained how Russia turned food into a weapon of war.

It's today explained, I'm Newell King.

If you have been anywhere lately, you most likely have seen a very simple flag strung across

a window or tacked to the side of a building.

It's blue up on the top, it's yellow on the bottom.

That is a Ukrainian flag, it's being flown as a sign of solidarity.

The blue represents the sky and the yellow represents wheat fields of which Ukraine has

many.

It's top five in the world when it comes to exports of wheat and corn and barley.

It's the biggest exporter in the world by far when it comes to the sunflower oil.

The Indian Charles, a freelance journalist and radio producer who covers agriculture and

climate, that is a lot.

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