Ramaphosa: Russia, Ukraine have agreed to peace talks led by African leaders

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to receive a peace mission chaired by African leaders.

In a statement from the presidency on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said the United Nations (UN) welcomed the idea. Details of the peace plan have not been disclosed.

“Over the weekend I presented an African leaders’ peace mission to President Vladimir Putin and President  Volodymyr Zelenskyy during separate telephone calls,” the South African president said.

“Principal to our discussions are efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the devastating conflict in Ukraine, its cost in human lives, and its impact on the African continent.”

Zambia, Senegal, Congo, Uganda, and Egypt presidents are said to be involved in the planned peace talks.

Ramaphosa said Putin and Zelensky would receive the African mission in Moscow and Kyiv respectively, the capitals of Russia and Ukraine.

“I agreed with both President Putin and President Zelenskyy to commence with preparations for engagements with the African heads of state. The secretary general of the United Nations was briefed and welcomed the initiative,” Ramaphosa added.

“Whether that will succeed or not is going to depend on the discussions that will be held.”

The president noted that the United States and the United Kingdom had expressed “cautious” support for the plan.

The US has repeatedly shown concern about South Africa’s neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Last week, Reuben Brigety, US ambassador to South Africa, accused the country of supplying arms to Russia.

However, the country’s foreign ministry denied the allegations.