The leaders of six African countries -- Egypt, Comoros, South Africa, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia -- met on Monday to probe the African initiative to mediate between Russia and Ukraine to settle the year-long conflict. 

The meeting came nearly two weeks after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that a group of African leaders will visit Russia and Ukraine 'as soon as is possible' to discuss a potential peace plan for the conflict.

During the meeting, the African leaders discussed the details of the African initiative to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, according to a statement released by Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy.

President El-Sisi, who attended the meeting via video conference, reiterated that Egypt adopted a balanced approach since the beginning of the conflict.

The president further affirmed that Egypt stressed the necessity of respecting international law, settling disputes by peaceful means, and prioritizing dialogue.

He also called for mobilizing international efforts to reach a solution that considers all parties in order to attain global peace and security.

Egypt will spare no effort to contribute to containing such a crisis and overcoming its political, humanitarian and economic consequences, El-Sisi explained.

The meeting saw the participation of Comorian President Azali Assoumani, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

During the meeting, the African leaders stressed that resolving this conflict was in Africa's interest, given its grave consequences on the African countries and the rest of the world, especially in food and energy security and international finance, according to Fahmy.

The meeting also stressed that the African initiative should include mechanisms that would make it appealing to both Russia and Ukraine, added the spokesman.

Since its eruption in February 2022, the conflict has harmed African countries, which have suffered from the rising prices of grain and the disruption of world trade.