On the second day of the Russia-Africa summit, Putin said Moscow would closely look at a peace proposal for Ukraine that African leaders have tried to carry out.
“This is a serious problem, and we are not evading its consideration,” said the Russian president, who stressed that his government is handling the African initiative with respect and is “carefully reviewing it.”
He encouraged African leaders to open negotiations with Ukraine, which has refused to hold talks until Russian soldiers leave its territory.
“I think it is also necessary to talk to the other side, although we are grateful to our African friends for the attention they have paid to the issue,” Putin told the summit in St. Petersburg.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his African counterparts hoped to continue talks with Putin later on Friday on his peace proposal.
“We are hopeful that constructive compromise and negotiation can end the ongoing conflict,” said Ramaphosa, who heads the most developed country in sub-Saharan Africa, adding that in South Africa “our own history has taught us that this is really possible”.
Without specifically mentioning the fighting in Ukraine, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni criticized those who foment ideologically driven military conflicts, calling them “wasters of time and opportunities,” adding that “human history will go on.” whether they like it or not.”
“The only wars that are justified are just wars, like anti-colonial wars,” Museveni said. “Hegemony wars will fail and waste time and opportunities. Dialogue is the right path.”
In his speech, Putin reaffirmed his pledge that Russia would keep a steady supply of grain and other agricultural products to the mainland after it withdrew from an agreement allowing grain shipments from Ukraine. Moscow’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grains Initiative has stoked concerns about a global food crisis.
“Russia will always be a responsible international supplier of agricultural products and will continue to support countries and the region in need by offering them free grain and other supplies,” the Russian president said.
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Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Cara Anna in Nairobi, Kenya contributed to this report.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
