ST. PETERSBURG, Jun 19 (NNN-TASS) – An African delegation visited Russia on Saturday, pushing for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis, so as to stop its negative impact on African countries.
During a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in St. Petersburg, South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, said, the Ukraine crisis caused a price hike in energy and fuel, fertilisers and food, in African nations and the rest of the world.
The delegation, consisting of leaders and senior officials from seven African countries, offered a peace proposal that includes unimpeded grain exports through the Black Sea, de-escalation on both sides and enhanced humanitarian aid.
Russia understands the concerns of the international community, and is open to constructive dialogue with anyone who wants peace, based on the principles of justice, and takes into account the legitimate interests of all sides, 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 said.
The African mission arrived in the Ukraine capital, Kiev on Friday, and met with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
During the meeting, Zelensky presented the Ukrainian Peace Formula to the leaders of the African countries, noting that, it would help to restore the security of Ukraine and other states that were affected by the crisis.
Last week, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, praised the efforts of the African leaders, who headed to Russia and Ukraine to promote peace and end the crisis, noting that he always encourages all endeavours related to it.– NNN-TASS
