https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230622/zambia-stands-by-russia-in-fight-to-protect-its-people-socialist-party-chairwoman-says-1060065096.html
Zambia 'Stands by Russia' in Fight to Protect Its People, Socialist Party Chairwoman Says
Zambia 'Stands by Russia' in Fight to Protect Its People, Socialist Party Chairwoman Says
Sputnik Africa
In an effort to put a stop to tensions between Russia and Ukraine, a high-profile delegation from several African nations met with Ukrainian President... 22.06.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-06-22T09:10+0200
2023-06-22T09:10+0200
2023-08-03T10:43+0200
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Russia should be able to protect its people, and Zambia "stands by Russia" on this matter, Akende M'membe Chundama, chairwoman of the Socialist Party of Zambia, told Sputnik Africa.Chundama stated that like Russia, the USwould never allow foreign countries' weaponry to be deployed near its borders, adding that the US' wish to locate ammunition near Russia, therefore, is hypocrisy.Relations between NATO and Ukraine were first established in the 1990s, followed by Kiev announcing its intention to become a member of the military bloc in the early 2000s. The idea of integration into NATO was rejected by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, followed by a change of course under the new Ukrainian regime, which came to power following the US-supported Maidan coup in 2014.Moscow has consistently expressed its opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, and repeatedly emphasized that such a move would be viewed as crossing one of its "red lines," indicating areas of significant concern and interest for the Kremlin.According to the politician, Russia and Russia’s security interests should be treated the same way as those of Western countries and the US by the rest of the world, outlining that now the West's attitude towards the issue is hypocritical.Apart from that, she noted that the security of the Russian people is far more important than issues connected to grainsupplies.The so-called Black Sea grain deal, struck in the summer of 2022, was recently extended until July 17, with Russian officials arguing last week that the deal is likely to expire on July 18 due to non-fulfillment of its provisions.Beyond that, although Russia signed the grain deal in order for goods to be delivered to African countries, so far only three percent have been delivered to the poorest African countries.The chairwoman of Zambia's Socialist Party also emphasized the fact that Russia has greatly contributed to providing Africans with grain.In addition, she touched upon the issue regarding Ukrainian children that were sent to Russia for security reasons. The Zambian politician outlined that Africans believe that the children were transported so that they would be safe, outlining that their security is a question of utmost importance.As an African delegation visited St. Petersburg with a peace initiative, Putin explained to the delegation's members that Russia removed the children from Ukraine in order to save their lives and that there have never been and are no obstacles for their reunification with relatives, which is what Ukraine accuses Russia of.The accusation of the unlawful transfer of children led the International Criminal Court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the Russian president. Russia, in its turn, said that it had evacuated children from the front lines. Apart from that, the Kremlin pointed out that Russia is not a party to the ICC and the court's decision is legally null and void in the country.As for Ukraine's readiness for further dialogue on a peace process, the Zambian official outlined that Kiev is not open to negotiations and not eagerto listen to African leaders' proposals.Chundama also noted that as the West is playing up the peace negotiations issue, its real actions are only to pump Ukraine with weaponry, thus deepening the crisis and playing a role of the conflict's party. She especially outlined the fact that by doing so, the collective West "is fighting Russia."
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230620/africas-peacekeeping-mission-wont-be-limited-to-one-trip-south-african-foreign-ministry-says-1060042169.html
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african russia-ukraine peace initiative, russia, russia-africa cooperation, vladimir putin, north atlantic treaty organization (nato), ukraine, africa in details, ukraine crisis
african russia-ukraine peace initiative, russia, russia-africa cooperation, vladimir putin, north atlantic treaty organization (nato), ukraine, africa in details, ukraine crisis
Zambia 'Stands by Russia' in Fight to Protect Its People, Socialist Party Chairwoman Says
09:10 22.06.2023 (Updated: 10:43 03.08.2023) Exclusive
In an effort to put a stop to tensions between Russia and Ukraine, a high-profile delegation from several African nations met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 16. The group met with Vladimir Putin the next day in St. Petersburg, Russia, to conduct negotiations on the issue.
Russia should be able to protect its people, and Zambia "stands by Russia" on this matter, Akende M'membe Chundama, chairwoman of the Socialist Party of Zambia, told Sputnik Africa.
"Russia should be allowed to protect its people. And we stand by Russia as they fight to protect their people," she emphasized.
Chundama stated that like Russia,
the USwould never allow foreign countries' weaponry to be deployed near its borders, adding that the US' wish to locate ammunition near Russia, therefore, is hypocrisy.
"The US would never allow any other country to put any weapons or missiles on the border of Canada or the border of Mexico. It is because they try to secure the peace and the protection of their people the same way. They should not be hypocrites. We should not see the West become hypocrites, that if they want to put missiles or ammunition on the borders of Russia, the Russians would just sleep and let them do this without thinking of protecting their people," the politician outlined.
Relations between NATO and Ukraine were first established in the 1990s, followed by Kiev announcing its intention to become a member of the military bloc in the early 2000s. The idea of integration into NATO was rejected by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, followed by a change of course under the new Ukrainian regime, which came to power following the US-supported Maidan coup in 2014.
Moscow has consistently expressed its opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, and repeatedly emphasized that such a move would be viewed as crossing one of its "red lines," indicating areas of significant concern and interest for the Kremlin.
According to the politician, Russia and Russia’s security interests should be treated the same way as those of Western countries and the US by the rest of the world, outlining that now the West's attitude towards the issue is hypocritical.
"So the same considerations, the same way they want to be treated by the rest of the world is the same way that the West, the US and we know that NATO, at the core of this, should also treat Russia," Chundama stated. "It's very clear that their hatred for Russia is extremely clear and as the rest of the world, it has opened a lot of people's eyes to say that this is hypocrisy."
Apart from that, she noted that the security of the Russian people is far more important than issues connected to
grainsupplies.
"The security of the Russian people and of Russia is more important than a grain deal for now. Security must be taken at the utmost center and the security of the Russian people should be taken as the center of discussion when we are looking to resolve the crisis that is at hand, not the repercussions of the grain crisis or the grain initiatives that are being sought by other African countries," the politician noted.
The so-called Black Sea grain deal, struck in the summer of 2022, was recently extended until July 17, with Russian officials arguing last week that the deal is likely to expire on July 18 due to non-fulfillment of its provisions.
Beyond that, although Russia signed the grain deal in order for goods to be delivered to African countries, so far only three percent have been delivered to the poorest African countries.
The chairwoman of Zambia's Socialist Party also emphasized the fact that Russia has greatly contributed to providing Africans with grain.
"Russia has tried to ensure that the grain supply and the food guarantee to the people have been secured. Last year, Russia provided over 100,000 metric tons of fertilizer to several African countries, such as Zambia, Mozambique, to help secure food security and food supply in these countries," the politician stated.
In addition, she touched upon the issue regarding Ukrainian children that were sent to Russia for security reasons. The Zambian politician outlined that Africans believe that the children were transported so that they would be safe, outlining that their security is a question of utmost importance.
"This [children's safety] should be more important than any geopolitical battle. And for us, we believe that these children were taken out to protect them and children must be protected," she noted. "The protection of children is pivotal, and this should be of utmost importance when it comes to world peace. We should first secure children and women."
As an African delegation visited St. Petersburg with a peace initiative, Putin explained to the delegation's members that Russia removed the children from Ukraine in order to save their lives and that there have never been and are no obstacles for their reunification with relatives, which is what Ukraine accuses Russia of.
The accusation of the unlawful transfer of children led the International Criminal Court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the Russian president. Russia, in its turn, said that it had evacuated children from the front lines. Apart from that, the Kremlin pointed out that Russia is not a party to the ICC and the court's decision is legally null and void in the country.
As for Ukraine's readiness for further dialogue on a peace process, the Zambian official outlined that Kiev is not open to negotiations and
not eagerto listen to African leaders' proposals.
"I think it's very clear that Ukraine has shut itself off to any advice on peace and on protecting citizens of even Russia during this crisis. We saw this by the sentiments and the comments of Zelensky right after the meeting," she stated. "He has totally refused and after the peace mission proposal, he totally refused and rubbished everything that they had said in a way that he was not even looking for world peace at the moment and to secure this world peace."
Chundama also noted that as the West is playing up the peace negotiations issue, its real actions are only to pump Ukraine with weaponry, thus deepening the crisis and playing a role of the conflict's party. She especially outlined the fact that by doing so, the collective West "is fighting Russia."
"[The] West is talking about peace, but they supply more and more weapons to Ukraine. So this is irony at its best. And this is not a war of Ukraine. And we need to be very careful that we also make sure that we highlight that it's the entire armory and the entire machinery of the West that is fighting Russia. It's not just Russia and Ukraine. It's Russia and the rest of the Western countries under NATO," Chundama emphasized.
