Russian President Vladimir Putin, while receiving representatives from seven African states who arrived to present their peace initiative on Ukraine, stated that Russia is ready to review proposals from African states regarding the Ukrainian settlement. Prior to this, the African delegation had discussed the initiative with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in Kiev.
On June 17, 2023, Vladimir Putin welcomed the heads of delegations from African states at the Constantine Palace. Located outside St. Petersburg, the former capital city of Russia, the Konstantinovsky Palace served as a residence for the Romanov imperial family and now hosts official events, including international ones.
The group included Azali Assoumani, Chairperson of the African Union and President of the Comoros; Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal; Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa; Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia; and Mostafa Mabdouli, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Representatives from the Republic of the Congo, Florent Ntsiba, and Ruhakana Rugunda, Special Envoy of the President of Uganda for Special Duties, were also present.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov represented the Russian side in the meeting.
The representatives aim to serve as mediators in achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine within the framework of the conflict. In pursuit of this goal, the group presented ten points as a foundation for peace.
The first point acknowledges numerous proposals from major global players. The second point emphasizes the necessity to end the war and resolve the conflict through negotiations and diplomacy. The negative impact of the war on the African continent and other countries is highlighted, including rising energy, fertilizer, and food prices, along with the consequences of ongoing conflict.
The third point stresses the importance of de-escalating the conflict from both sides. The fourth point, also found in other proposals, emphasizes recognizing the sovereignty of countries based on the principles of the UN Charter. The fifth point underscores the need for security guarantees for all countries, a concern shared by all parties.
The sixth point directly affects African countries, advocating for the removal of barriers to the movement of grains across the Black Sea to ensure their accessibility in the market. The seventh point emphasizes the necessity of humanitarian support for those affected by the conflict.
The eighth point addresses the release of prisoners of war and the return of children held hostage by the conflict to their homes. The group supports post-conflict reconstruction efforts, as stated in the ninth point. The tenth point focuses on adopting processes that will lead to the end of the war.
The group expressed the belief that the African continent, along with the African countries present, can play a significant role in resolving the conflict. They also highlighted the need for additional work, meetings, and various formats of interaction to bring an end to the war. The African continent, represented by seven countries, is committed to making positive contributions to this process.
