Burc Eruygur
19 June 2023•Update: 19 June 2023
ISTANBUL
The Kremlin on Monday said the proposals given by African countries to end the Russia-Ukraine war contain ideas that can be implemented.
"There are certain themes in the ideas that were outlined at the talks by the members of the (African) delegation, which can be fully implemented," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during a press briefing.
Peskov further said that dialogue between Russia and Africa will continue, including at the Russia-Africa Summit set to take place on July 26-29 in the port city of St. Petersburg.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met an African peace delegation on Saturday that looks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, a day after the same delegation met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
The delegation included the head of the African Union and Comorian President Azali Assoumani, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Senegal’s President Macky Sall, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and representatives of Congo and Uganda.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Policy Advisor Yuriy Ushakov were also present at the meeting, which lasted more than three hours.
Peskov also said that access for UN representatives to flooded areas due to the explosion at the Kakhovka dam is unsafe due to “constant shelling” by Ukrainian forces, because of which “it's very difficult to ensure their safety."
Denise Brown, the UN's humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, said in a statement on Sunday that Moscow declined the body’s request to access the flooded areas under Russian control and urged the country to act “in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
“Aid cannot be denied to people who need it. The UN will continue to do all it can to reach all people – including those suffering as a result of the recent dam destruction – who urgently need life-saving assistance, no matter where they are,” Brown further said.
On June 8, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya urged Russia to grant “unimpeded access” to the UN and the Red Cross to evacuate civilians after the destruction of the major dam.
Ukraine and Russia have both blamed each other for carrying out strikes on June 6 which led to the destruction of the walls of the dam, resulting in flooding of nearby areas.
