War in Ukraine: after Kiev, African mediation is with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: STR / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP 16:11 p.m., June 17, 2023, modified at 16:12 p.m., June 17, 2023

THE ESSENTIALS

After Kiev, the African delegation is Saturday in St. Petersburg, northwestern Russia, to meet Vladimir Putin to start negotiations between Kiev and Moscow, despite the rejection by Volodymyr Zelensky of his offer of mediation. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is leading the delegation, was the first to arrive Saturday in the former Russian imperial capital "to seek a path to peace after 16 months of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict that has caused (...) global instability," the South African presidency announced.

Information to remember:

• After a visit to Kiev on Friday, the African delegation is in St. Petersburg this Saturday.
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is leading the delegation, hopes to see negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.
• At the end of the visit of the African delegation, Volodymyr Zelensky refused the offer of mediation.
• Vladimir Putin said he was convinced that Kiev's counter-offensive had "no chance" of succeeding.

This trip comes the day after his visit to Kiev where he had, according to the same source, "constructive discussions" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, believing from the Ukrainian capital that there should be "a de-escalation on both sides". The other members of the African mediation delegation are expected in St. Petersburg later in the day, according to the Kremlin.

In addition to Cyril Ramaphosa, the delegation includes three other presidents: Macky Sall (Senegal), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia) and Azali Assoumani (Comoros), current chair of the African Union, as well as representatives from Congo, Uganda and Egypt.

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It was rejected by the Ukrainian head of state, who denounced "a deception" by Moscow in the midst of a counter-offensive by its armed forces. "Allowing negotiation with Russia now, when the occupier is on our land, means freezing war, freezing pain and suffering," Zelensky said at a joint press conference with African leaders.

Even before the arrival on his land of African leaders, Vladimir Putin said Friday he was convinced that Kiev's counter-offensive had "no chance" of succeeding, and that Western countries would be forced to return to him, on his terms. "And we'll see when and what we can talk about with them," he said.

"Listen carefully"

For his part, Cyril Ramaphosa said Friday "important to listen carefully to what the two countries have to say". The South African leader is due to have a separate meeting with Vladimir Putin before a meeting with the Russian president and all African mediators, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. This mediation comes in the midst of the Ukrainian counter-offensive.

If Moscow continues to claim that it is a failure, Kiev claims for its part to have liberated a handful of localities and a hundred square kilometers, mainly on the southern front. "Ukrainian forces continue to conduct both offensive and defensive operations with relative success," Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Maliar said late Friday. Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday called for the production of more tanks to "meet the needs of the forces" in the operation in Ukraine.

The African mission is the latest in a series of unsuccessful diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Africa is being hit hard by rising food prices and the impact of war on global trade. South Africa, however, refuses to condemn Russia for its aggression, and is criticized for its proximity to the Kremlin.

Russia, for its part, is trying to attract African leaders to its camp by claiming to stand as a bulwark against imperialism and accusing the West of blocking with its sanctions the exports of Russian grain and fertilizers essential to Africa.