South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, part of a delegation advocating for peace between Kyiv and Moscow, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and emphasized the need for an end to the fighting.
The Russian authorities, however, have banned the use of the word "war" to describe their military operation in Ukraine. Ramaphosa presented a set of 10 principles, including de-escalation, respect for sovereignty, security guarantees, uninterrupted grain exports, and repatriation of prisoners of war and children. The delegation consisted of leaders and officials from seven African countries. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the difficulty of implementing any initiative but stated that Putin showed interest in considering it.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned that the plan was not officially documented. Putin commended the delegation's balanced approach and expressed openness to constructive dialogue based on justice and respect for all parties' legitimate interests. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after the talks with Ramaphosa in Kyiv, reiterated that Ukraine must regain its lost territories to achieve peace. African countries have been divided in their response to the conflict, with some supporting Ukraine, while others remain neutral or lean towards Moscow.
Analysts noted the increasing precariousness of peace efforts, as both Kyiv and Moscow believe they can succeed militarily. Ukraine recently launched a counteroffensive, claiming tactical success in the south, while Russia insists it has repelled all Ukrainian assaults. The African delegation aimed to secure concessions, such as ensuring Ukrainian grain reaches the global market. Ramaphosa highlighted the negative impact of the war on Africa and requested the release of political prisoners. Putin expressed readiness to continue the process regarding prisoners of war.
In addition to the diplomatic efforts, Ukraine is dealing with devastating flooding caused by the destruction of a Russian-held dam. Revised death tolls were announced, with 29 fatalities in Russian-held areas and 16 in Ukrainian territory, while 31 people are still missing. The threat of air strikes remains high across Ukraine. US President Joe Biden cautioned that Ukraine must meet the same standards as other NATO members for its accession to the alliance. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to rally support for Ukraine's recovery during an upcoming summit in London.
(Source: AFP)
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