Africa joins in resolving conflict in Ukraine

SGGP 06/19/2023 05:58

During meetings with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, the African delegation announced a 10-point peace proposal to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Meeting between President Putin and a group of high-ranking African representatives

According to Russia Today, during talks to resolve the Ukrainian conflict with a high-ranking African diplomatic delegation in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow and Kiev had agreed on general terms on neutrality and security guarantees for Ukraine during peace talks in March 2022. However, Kiev then abruptly canceled the signed documents.

Ready for dialogue

This is also the first time that Russian President Putin has published draft documents that were discussed by Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Türkiye more than a year ago. According to Mr. Putin, the document called “Treaty on Permanent Neutrality and Security Guarantees for Ukraine” was signed by the Ukrainian delegation. Accordingly, Ukraine commits to enshrining “permanent neutrality” in its constitution, while Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Türkiye and Belarus will be the countries that guarantee its security.

The draft also addresses the size of Ukraine’s armed forces. Russia proposes that Ukraine maintain a standing army of 85,000 soldiers and 15,000 national guardsmen, along with 324 tanks, 1,029 armored vehicles, 96 multiple launch rocket systems, 50 fighter jets and 52 support aircraft. Kiev, meanwhile, wants an army of 250,000 men, 800 tanks, 2,400 armored vehicles, 600 multiple launch rocket systems, 74 fighter jets and 86 support aircraft. Limits on air defense missile systems, mortars and anti-tank weapons are also mentioned in the agreement.

However, peace talks collapsed in the spring of 2022, after Ukrainian officials accused Russian troops of killing civilians in several small towns around Kiev. Moscow denied all accusations.

Peace Proposal

The African delegation, including the presidents of South Africa, Senegal, Zambia and Comoros, and the Egyptian prime minister , arrived in Moscow after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on June 16. There, Mr. Zelensky declared that negotiations could only begin after Moscow gave up Crimea.

During meetings with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, the African delegation announced a 10-point peace proposal to end the conflict in Ukraine.

The proposal includes peaceful negotiations by diplomatic means, de-escalation of the situation, respect for the sovereignty of states and peoples in accordance with the UN Charter, ensuring security for all states, and ensuring the export of grain, fertilizers and other goods.

This is the first time Africa has joined mediation efforts between Russia and Ukraine since the conflict between the two countries broke out in February 2022. The mission is particularly important for the continent, which relies heavily on food and fertilizer supplies from Russia and Ukraine.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/chau-phi-tham-gia-giai-quyet-xung-dot-o-ukraine-post694208.html