Diplomatic Relations with Russia Must Remain Frozen Until They Withdraw from Ukraine: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who received a delegation from African countries in Kyiv, stated that in his opinion, all diplomatic relations with Russia should be frozen as long as the country does not withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territories, according to the BBC.

He emphasized that any peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow would only be possible after the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. "We have a real need in the real world and a real withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine," Zelensky stressed.

The peace initiative delegation, led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, arrived in Kyiv to conduct talks with both sides of the conflict, starting with issues that do not directly relate to the military situation.

According to the African delegation from seven countries, they are interested in halting the conflict since many African nations depend on Ukrainian grain and Russian fertilizers, whose supply has been affected by the war.

Zelensky stated that the cause of the food shortage and the escalation of the food crisis on the continent is not Ukraine, but Russia, which has blocked the Black and Azov seas.

The African delegation now plans to visit Russia.