Russia on Thursday said the peace delegation led by African countries will visit Moscow next month or in early July, reported Africa News.
The initiative was announced by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday. He said that both Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, had agreed to receive the six-member mission, which will visit Moscow and Kyiv.
“Taking into consideration the wishes of President Ramaphosa, we are talking about mid, end June or beginning July” for the visit, Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, said at a press conference alongside Jeje Odongo, his counterpart from Uganda, one of the countries taking part in the initiative.
Other members of the delegation include the presidents of Egypt, the Republic of Congo, Senegal, South Africa, and Zambia.
“President (Putin) is always ready to talk to all our partners who are honestly interested in having stability in the world,” Lavrov said.
He added that Russia would look forward to seeing concrete initiatives presented by the delegation.
Ramaphosa did not give a specific timeline for the visit or other details. He only said that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war had been devastating and that African nations are also suffering a great deal from it.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s spokesperson Sergii Nykyforov also confirmed the African peace mission.
He said during a telephonic conversation held on May 13, South African President Ramaphosa informed Zelensky about the intention to come to Ukraine as part of a mission from several African countries.
Nykyforov said Zelensky has welcomed the initiative and is ready to receive the delegation in Ukraine and discuss the country’s existing peace formula.
South Africa has been caught up in several public scandals regarding the war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, the U.S. accused South Africa of supplying weapons and ammunition to Russia. However, South Africa denied the accusation.
