South Africa's Ramaphosa tells Putin 'war' must end

AFP , Saturday 17 Jun 2023

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in Russia as part of a peace-seeking delegation, on Saturday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the conflict in Ukraine had to stop.

In this handout photo provided by Photo host Agency RIA Novosti, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa talk to each other during a meeting with a delegation of African leaders and senior officials in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 17, 2023. AP

"This war must be settled... through negotiations and through diplomatic means," said Ramaphosa.

He added that his delegation, consisting of seven African leaders, "would like this war to be ended.

"This war is having a negative impact on the African continent and indeed on many other countries around the world," Ramaphosa said ahead of formal talks with the Russian president.

On Friday, the delegation held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

"We have come to listen to you and through you to hear the voice of the Russian people," said Comoros President Azali Assoumani, who currently heads the African Union.

"We wanted to encourage you to enter into negotiations with Ukraine," he said.

African countries have been divided over their response to the conflict, with some siding with Ukraine, while others have remained neutral or gravitated towards Moscow.