- Sputnik Africa, 1920, 10.04.2023
Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate and defend the inhabitants of the Donbass region, where people have been suffering from a blockade and regular attacks by the Kiev regime's forces since 2014.

South Africa, China Share Stance on Settlement in Ukraine: President Ramaphosa

© AFP 2023 GIANLUIGI GUERCIA(LtoR) China's President Xi Jinping, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrive to pose for a group picture during the 10th BRICS (acronym for the grouping of the world's leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit on July 26, 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(LtoR) China's President Xi Jinping, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrive to pose for a group picture during the 10th BRICS (acronym for the grouping of the world's leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit on July 26, 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 22.08.2023
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South Africa is one of the key participants of the of the African peace initiative on Ukraine, which is the first to be accepted both by Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
South Africa and China adhere to the same view that the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict should be through dialogue, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday.
"[Chinese] President Xi Jinping and I discussed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its significant effect on developing economies in Africa and elsewhere. We both agreed on the importance of dialogue and negotiation between the two sides," Ramaphosa said at a joint media briefing on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, taking place in Johannesburg from Tuesday to Thursday.
South Africa is encouraged by Xi's welcoming of the African leaders' peace mission to Russia and Ukraine, Ramaphosa added.
In February, China released a 12-point document titled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," which underscores respect for the sovereignty of all countries, the cessation of hostilities, and the resumption of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev.
Cyril Ramaphosa and Xi Jinping - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 22.08.2023
2023 BRICS Summit in Johannesburg
Xi Says China, S. Africa 'At New Historical Starting Point' on BRICS Visit
In early August, the Financial Times reported, citing sources, that at the recent Saudi-hosted international Ukraine talks China made it clear it would continue to engage in any further international consultations on the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine conflict.
South Africa was one of the seven African countries that pitched a peace plan initiative both to Russia and Ukraine. A top-level delegation visited Moscow and Kiev in June to discuss the 10-point plan based on security guarantees, freedom of Black Sea grain exports, release of prisoners and start of peace talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told them no peace talks would be possible until Russia withdraws its forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin said some of the points of the African initiative were aligned with Moscow's stance and the discussion should be continued.
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