Leaders from South Africa, Zambia, the Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Egypt, Senegal, and Uganda visited both Ukraine and Russia over the weekend. According to the countries, the goal is to initiate what they call a peace plan, which involves getting Ukraine and Russia to negotiate in order to reach peace.
Russia wants to show off its friends
In the pictures from the meeting between Putin and the African leaders, it appears to be cheerful.
– What Russia has to gain from this is that you can demonstrate above all to the home audience and other countries that are friendly to Russia, that Russia is not isolated and has friends. It can be seen very clearly in the pictures when Putin greets his African guests. It’s hearty and cheerful, says Bert Sundström, SVT’s foreign reporter.
Visited Ukraine on Friday
On Friday, the leaders visited Kiev and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, a meeting that began with the visitors forced to take cover as Russian airstrikes hit the capital.
President Zelenskyy said after the meeting that negotiations with Russia are not possible as long as Russian soldiers are on Ukrainian territory.
Hear SVT’s foreign reporter about the meeting and whether this can lead anywhere.