Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that all issues should be resolved via negotiations when commenting on the situation in Ukraine and NATO expansion, adding that the other side refuses to engage in talks.
"We are already talking about this, we can still discuss the situation related to the conflict in Ukraine, but we, of course, agree with you that all contradictions should be resolved during negotiations, but the problem is that they refuse to negotiate with us," Putin said at the Russia-Africa summit.
The Russian president added that security threats from NATO and the United States are the reason behind the conflict.
"They, I repeat once again, refuse to negotiate on ensuring equal security for everyone, including Russia. And Ukraine itself, or rather the current Ukrainian regime, refuses to negotiate, it was officially announced," Putin said.
On the sidelines of the second Russia-Africa Summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he hopes some aspects of Africa’s peace plan on Ukraine will be discussed at the meeting with hie Russian counterpart.
Ramaphosa thanked Putin for receiving an African delegation in June which proposed a peace plan on Ukraine.
"And we look forward to engaging further with you [Putin] later today to hear precisely how some of those proposals can be taken forward," Ramaphosa said at the Russia-Africa summit.
The second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum is taking place in the Russian city of St. Petersburg from July 27-28. Sputnik is an official media partner of the forum.