Six African leaders propose that Ukraine accept opening peace talks with Russia even as Russian troops remain on its soil, South Africa’s presidency said on Monday, as South African officials prepare to visit both countries to sell the idea. Ukraine has said Russian troops must withdraw from its territory before talks start, while Moscow wants […]
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Six African leaders propose that Ukraine accept opening peace talks with Russia even as Russian troops remain on its soil, South Africa's presidency said on Monday, as South African officials prepare to visit both countries to sell the idea. | May. 22
By Carien du Plessis JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Six African leaders propose that Ukraine accept opening peace talks with Russia even as Russian troops remain on its soil, South Africa s presidency said on Monday, as South African officials prepare to visit both countries to sell the idea. Ukraine has said Russian troops must withdraw from its territory before talks start, while Moscow wants Kyiv to recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea, which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014, as a precondition for negotiations. Russian forces carried out a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. First is the cessation of hostilities. Second is a framework for lasting peace, South African Presidency Spokesman Vincent Magwenya said. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the initiative on May 16. President Macky Sall of Senegal, last year s African Union chairman whose country was not present at the latest U.N. vote condemning Russia in February this year, leads the initiative. It includes preside