SAINT-PETERSBURG June 20th (XINHUA) – An African delegation visited Russia on Saturday, June 17, 2023, pushing for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis to end its negative impact on African countries.
During a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, a member of the delegation, indicated that the Ukrainian crisis had caused an increase in the prices of energy and fuel, fertilizers and foodstuffs in African countries and in the rest of the world.
The delegation, made up of leaders and senior officials from seven African countries, presented a peace proposal that includes the unhindered export of grain through the Black Sea, de-escalation on both sides and increased humanitarian aid. “Russia understands the concerns of the international community and is open to constructive dialogue with anyone who wants a peace based on the principles of justice and takes into account the legitimate interests of all parties,” President Putin said during the meeting.
“Russia has never refused to negotiate, but the Ukrainian side has announced that it will not conduct any negotiations,” he added.
The African mission arrived on Friday, June 16, 2023, in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the meeting, Mr. Zelensky presented the Ukrainian peace formula to the leaders of African countries, stressing that it will help restore the security of Ukraine and other States affected by the crisis.
Last week, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended the efforts of African leaders who visited Russia and Ukraine to promote peace and end the crisis, noting that he always encouraged all initiatives in this field.
xinhua/abp JUIN 23