Russian Official: Putin to Discuss Ukrainian Settlement with African Delegation on June 17

President Vladimir Putin will receive a delegation from 7 African countries in St. Petersburg next Saturday, June 17, to discuss an African initiative for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, Putin's Foreign Affairs Aide Yuri Ushakov announced.

On June 16, the African delegation will hold talks with the Ukrainian leadership in Kyiv, Putin's Aide added. 

Last May, the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announced an African initiative to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian crisis peacefully, supported by 7 African countries, including Egypt.

He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky had agreed to receive African leaders to discuss the possibility of finding a peaceful solution to Ukrainian crisis.

Furthermore, he noted that he briefed the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres, on the peace initiative, which is supported by a number of African presidents, including the presidents of Senegal, Uganda and Egypt.