CAIRO:  Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Sunday held discussions with Egyptian officials  in Cairo as his nation tries to end its diplomatic isolation and Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.

According to state-run RT in Russia, Lavrov arrived in Cairo early Sunday, beginning a trip to Africa that will also take him to Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The main diplomat for Russia was supposed to meet with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary general of the Arab League. Russian President  Putin would also address the organization's permanent representatives,  the RT reported

The international economy has suffered greatly as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine, and oil and gas prices have reached previously unheard-of heights.

Ukraine is one of the biggest producers of wheat, corn, and sunflower oil in the world, but exports have been blocked as a result of Russia's invasion and naval blockade of its ports. Although it is more expensive, some Ukrainian grain is shipped through Europe by train, road, and river. As the shipping and insurance companies did not want to deal with Western sanctions on the country, the war has hindered delivery of Russian goods.

African nations are among those most impacted by the war's aftereffects. Millions of dollars have been spent on aiding refugees who escaped the war in Europe while the cost of basic goods increased. As a result, there are now millions of people suffering from worsening shortages of food and other aid in conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East.

Less than two weeks have passed since U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's travel to the Middle East before Lavrov meets with Egyptian and Arab envoys in Cairo. Prior to holding a summit in Saudi Arabia with the leaders of the Arab Gulf states, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq, Biden visited with the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Houthi militia fired shells hit Yemen's Taiz, 13 injured

African Union praises Russia-Ukraine grain export agreement

Russia denies strikes on port in Ukraine after a grain deal: Turkish Ministry