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 attack on Kyiv is ‘message to Africa’ – Ukraine war latest

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

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

The mission to Ukraine, the primary of its variety by African leaders, comes within the wake of different peace initiatives reminiscent of one by China, and it carried further 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 news 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 combat and the animosity between Russia and Ukraine, however insisted all wars should come to an finish – and that the delegation desires 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,” Mr Ramaphosa mentioned, including that “there is a need to bring this conflict to an end sooner rather than later”.

He additionally referred to as for extra prisoner swaps and mentioned displaced youngsters ought to be returned to their houses.

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

South Africa, Senegal and Uganda have prevented censuring Moscow for the battle, whereas Egypt, Zambia and Comoros voted in opposition to Russia final yr in a UN General Assembly decision condemning Moscow’s invasion.

The temper of the news convention soured when Comoros President Azali Assoumani floated the concept 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 might 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 positioning of one of many worst-known massacres of the conflict, with Russian troops killing a whole lot of civilians there final yr.

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 have been destroyed.

Peace is just not the one matter on the agenda for the African leaders, nonetheless.

Officials additionally wish to study how Russia will be paid for fertiliser exports it desperately wants – regardless of sanctions in opposition to Moscow.

They are additionally getting extra very important grain shipments out of Ukraine.

Mr Ramaphosa mentioned after his assembly with Mr Zelenskyy that there ought 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 prevented criticising Moscow; whereas Zambia, Egypt and Comoros final yr voted in opposition to 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.”