Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky have both agreed to separate meetings to receive a peace mission led by a delegation of African heads of state to discuss the possibility of putting an end to the war in Ukraine.
This is according to president Cyril Ramaphosa who is leading the delegation comprising six African heads of state.
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The announcement was made at a press briefing on Tuesday during the official visit by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Over the weekend, Ramaphosa spoke with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts and presented an African leaders’ peace mission during separate phone calls. It was agreed that the peace mission’ would be held in Moscow and Kyviv respectively.
‘Principal to our discussions are efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the devastating conflict in the Ukraine, its cost in human lives and impact on the African continent,’ said Ramaphosa.
‘In this regard, I presented the initiative on behalf of African heads of state from Zambia, Senegal, Congo, Uganda, Egypt and South Africa.’
He added that Putin and Zelensky gave him the go-ahead to ‘commence the preparations’, as well as that the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres was briefed on the African delegation’s planned meetings and ‘welcomed the initiative’.
‘This peace mission will contribute to the various other missions that are under way to bring a solution to that conflict. It is going to depend on the discussions,’ Ramaphosa added.
No details were provided on the possible timeline or parameters of the talks. Zelensky has previously said he would not consider a peace deal to end the 15-month war until Russian forces withdraw fully from Ukranian territory.
The war in Ukraine has become a hot topic of debate for the South African government following US Ambassador Reuben Brigety;s accusations that South Africa may have provided arms to Russia.
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