RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have agreed to hold separate meetings with a delegation of leaders from six African countries, aimed at exploring a potential plan to end the war in Ukraine.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday that he had spoken with Putin and Zelenskyy over the weekend, and both leaders had agreed to host an ‘African leaders peace mission’ in Moscow and Kyiv, respectively. Ramaphosa stated that the main focus of the discussions would be to find a peaceful resolution to the devastating conflict in Ukraine.
The delegation participating in the peace mission would include the leaders of Zambia, Senegal, Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Egypt, along with Ramaphosa himself, according to the statement issued by the South African president. Putin and Zelenskyy have given their approval to initiate preparations for the meetings. Notably, four of the six African countries in the delegation—South Africa, Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Uganda—abstained from a U.N. vote last year that condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Zambia and Egypt, on the other hand, voted in favour of the motion.
Ramaphosa did not provide specific details regarding the timeline or parameters for the peace talks. Zelenskyy has previously stated that he would not consider a peace deal until Russian forces completely withdraw from Ukrainian territory. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has been briefed on the planned meetings with the African delegation and has expressed support for the initiative, according to Ramaphosa.
The announcement of the African-led peace effort coincided with Russia launching a heavy air attack on Kyiv. However, there has been no immediate reaction from the Kremlin or Kyiv regarding the development. A previous readout of a phone conversation between Putin and Ramaphosa mentioned the Russian leader’s support for the idea of involving African leaders in discussions on resolving the Ukrainian conflict, but it remains unclear if that call is the one to which Ramaphosa referred.
South Africa’s prominent role in the African delegation is likely to draw scrutiny. The announcement comes shortly after the US ambassador accused South Africa of siding with Russia in the Ukrainian war and potentially providing weapons to Moscow. South Africa has denied these allegations and asserted its neutrality in the conflict. The country has historical ties with Russia dating back to the Soviet era when the former Soviet Un
ion supported South Africa’s liberation movement. South Africa has also conducted joint naval exercises with Russian and Chinese warships and maintains relationships with Western supporters of Ukraine.
The neutrality of the African countries in the delegation is seen as an advantage for potential talks, as it avoids the risk of becoming proxy mediators. However, significant differences remain between Russia and Ukraine in terms of reaching an agreement to end the war. The Kremlin demands that Kyiv acknowledge Russia’s annexation of Crimea and other Ukrainian provinces, which most nations consider illegal. Ukraine, on the other hand, rejects these demands and insists on the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied territories.
Zelenskyy’s peace plan includes the establishment of a tribunal to prosecute crimes of aggression, aiming to hold Russia accountable for its invasion. During a private meeting with Pope Francis, Zelenskyy sought
support for Ukraine’s peace plan. China has also offered to mediate peace talks, but its political support for Russia has raised doubts about its impartiality. While Beijing presented a proposed peace plan in February and plans to send an envoy to Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine and its Western allies have largely dismissed China’s proposal, making an imminent breakthrough in the war unlikely.
