The leaders of the African countries participating in the peace mission to Ukraine will definitely have the opportunity to talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the upcoming Russia–Africa summit in St. Petersburg at the end of July, Russian President's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media.
"The summit program is still being prepared. But there will definitely be an opportunity to talk on the sidelines," Peskov replied to the question whether the Kremlin expects to hold a meeting in this format in St. Petersburg.
The African Peace Initiative was presented on May 16 by the South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa, which was followed by the visits of the African delegation to Kiev and St. Petersburg.
A delegation of seven African countries, which included the Presidents of Zambia, Comoros, Senegal, South Africa, the Prime Minister of Egypt, as well as representatives of the Republic of Congo and Uganda, visited Kiev on June 16, where they held talks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
During his visit to Kiev last month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called Africa's initiative a "historic mission in a quest for peace" and underlined the importance of a speedy resolution of the conflict.
"Even when the conflict becomes the most intense, that is when peace should be made," Ramaphosa told a press conference, adding that it is better to end the conflict before everything is lost.
The next day, the mission was received in St. Petersburg by Russian President Vladimir Putin. On behalf of the delegation, South African President Cyril Ramaposa outlined on June 17 a plan of 10 principles that can lay the foundation for the peace process in Ukraine.
They mainly include security guarantees, grain supplies across the Black Sea, the release of prisoners of war and the start of peace negotiations.
Naledi Pandor, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of South Africa, highlighted that the talks held in St. Petersburg and Kiev with the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine were promising.
The second Russia–Africa Summit and Economic Forum are scheduled for July 27-28 in St. Petersburg.