“Putin ‘builds trust'”
Africa’s delegation in Kiev – Moscow sends rockets
06/16/2023, 2:13 p.m
Several African countries have started an attempt to mediate between Kiev and Moscow. At their first stop in the Ukrainian capital, they first have to visit an air raid shelter. For Foreign Minister Kuleba, this is a clear signal of how Moscow assesses the mission.
At least two explosions rocked Kiev during a visit by a peacekeeping delegation of African leaders. According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, there were explosions in the central district of Podil. They came from the air defense. There was no damage to facilities or buildings. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, six Kinshall hypersonic missiles, six cruise missiles and two drones were shot down. According to the Kiev authorities, there were injuries but no deaths or major damage.
“Putin ‘builds confidence’ by launching the biggest attack on Kiev in weeks right during the visit of African leaders,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted, apparently referring to reports that the African initiative was involved several proposals on confidence-building measures to initiate talks. “The Russian missiles are a message to Africa: Russia wants more war, not peace,” Kuleba continued.
An African delegation is currently in Kiev with the aim of mediating between Ukraine and Russia. A meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also planned for the course of the day. Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled for Saturday in St. Petersburg. An international economic forum is taking place there.
Members of the African delegation went to a hotel shelter during the air raid. The delegation includes the Presidents of South Africa and Senegal, Cyril Ramaphosa and Macky Sall. The trip is going well and according to plan, the South African Presidential Office tweeted after the air alert was lifted.
Draft proposes ceasefire roadmap
The delegation, which also includes representatives from Zambia, the Comoros and Egypt, initially wants to propose a number of confidence-building measures, according to a draft. One goal is to persuade the two warring parties to negotiate. The withdrawal of Russian troops, the ban on Russian stationing of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, the suspension of the international arrest warrant against Putin and relaxation of sanctions against Russia could be brought to the table. This could be followed by a cease-fire agreement, the document said. For this, there must be negotiations between Russia and the West. Africa has an inherent interest in peace, as many countries on the continent depend on grain supplies from Russia and Ukraine.
The African delegation’s visit comes shortly after the start of a counter-offensive by the Ukrainian military. Information about the course cannot be independently verified. The Russian Defense Ministry said numerous attacks by Ukraine on several front sectors had been repelled in the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian army suffered heavy losses. About 500 Ukrainian soldiers were killed. Five tanks were destroyed. The Russian army used ground forces, airstrikes and artillery fire. The Ukraine had said the day before that its troops had recaptured at least seven towns and 100 square kilometers.