Zelenskyy urges African leaders to ask Putin to liberate political prisoners

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged a bunch of African leaders to ask Vladimir Putin to free political prisoners.

The presidents of Zambia, Senegal, Comoros, South Africa and Egypt’s prime minister are there, alongside senior officers from Uganda and Congo-Brazzaville.

They are anticipated to journey to Russia for a gathering with President Putin on Saturday in St Petersburg.

Missile assault on Kyiv is ‘message to Africa’ – Ukraine battle newest

After assembly the delegation, Mr Zelenskyy reiterated that peace talks would solely be doable when Russia pulls out of occupied areas.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa mentioned the leaders had been “here to share the African perspective” as he urged a de-escalation on either side and mentioned the sovereignty of nations needs to be revered.

The mission to Ukraine, the primary of its sort by African leaders, comes within the wake of different peace initiatives equivalent to one by China, and it carried additional significance for the African nations, as they rely in various levels on meals and fertiliser deliveries from Russia and Ukraine.

“This conflict is affecting Africa negatively,” Mr Ramaphosa mentioned at a information convention alongside Mr Zelenskyy and the 4 different African heads of state or authorities, after the leaders met for closed-door talks on Friday afternoon.

He and others acknowledged the depth of the struggle and the animosity between Russia and Ukraine, however insisted all wars should come to an finish – and that the delegation needs to assist expedite that.

“I do believe that Ukrainians feel that they must fight and not give up. The road to peace is very hard,” he mentioned, including that “there is a need to bring this conflict to an end sooner rather than later”.

He additionally known as for extra prisoner swaps and mentioned displaced youngsters needs to be returned to their properties.

Many African nations have lengthy had shut ties with Moscow, courting again to the Cold War when the Soviet Union supported their anti-colonial struggles.

South Africa, Senegal and Uganda have averted censuring Moscow for the battle, whereas Egypt, Zambia and Comoros voted towards Russia final 12 months in a UN General Assembly decision condemning Moscow’s invasion.

The temper of the information convention soured when Comoros President Azali Assoumani floated the thought of a “road map” to peace, prompting questions from Mr Zelenskyy who sought a clarification and insisted he didn’t need “any surprises” from their go to to Mr Putin.

Mr Zelenskyy then urged them to assist free political prisoners from Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

“Would you please ask Russia to liberate the political prisoners?” Mr Zelenskyy mentioned. “Maybe this will be an important result of your mission, of your ‘road map’.”

The Ukrainian president expressed some frustration about their journey St Petersburg, saying they’d have “conversations with the terrorists” on Saturday.

However, he added that he wished to carry a Ukraine-Africa summit and hoped to have nearer relations with the continent.

Earlier, the delegation positioned candles at a mass grave close to St Andrew’s Church in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv.

Bucha is the location of one of many worst-known massacres of the battle, with Russian troops killing tons of of civilians there final 12 months.

An air raid siren additionally rang out in the course of the group’s go to to Kyiv and Mayor Vitali Klitschko mentioned an explosion had been reported within the Podilskiy district.

“Russian missiles are a message to Africa: Russia wants more war, not peace,” tweeted Ukrainian overseas minister Dmytro Kuleba.

The Ukrainian air drive mentioned it downed six Russian Kalibr cruise missiles, six Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles and two reconnaissance drones – however didn’t say the place they had been destroyed.

Peace isn’t the one matter on the agenda for the African leaders, nonetheless.

Officials additionally wish to look at how Russia may be paid for fertiliser exports it desperately wants – regardless of sanctions towards Moscow.

They are additionally taking a look at getting extra important grain shipments out of Ukraine.

Mr Ramaphosa mentioned after his assembly with Mr Zelenskyy that there needs to be a gap up of logistics for each grain and fertiliser.

The delegation seem to have break up allegiances, nonetheless.

South Africa, Senegal and Uganda have averted criticising Moscow; whereas Zambia, Egypt and Comoros final 12 months voted towards Russia in a UN decision condemning the invasion.

“Life is universal, and we must protect lives – Ukrainian lives, Russian lives, global lives,” mentioned Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on the Ukraine go to.

“Instability anywhere is instability everywhere.”