No move by China, like African leaders, has so far deterred Russian President Vladimir Putin from a brutal attack on Ukraine. No one could convince Ukraine for peace talks. But Africa and China can be the trump cards to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
In June, the presidents of South Africa, Senegal, Comoros and Zambia rushed to St. Petersburg to meet Vladimir Putin with a 10-point peace plan. Their main objective was to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table.
The field for mediation is empty as the West backs monopolized Kiev in the Ukraine war. China can use this opportunity now. Since Putin’s closeness with Africa is old, he can also take this opportunity to bring the conflict to the negotiating table. Can Africa or China really help end the war? Or how much conflict they want to end? Is Russia or Ukraine really interested in working for a solution? Everything depends on who Ukraine-Russia trusts.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed African leaders on the opening day of the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg. The summit began Thursday after Moscow pulled out of a grain export deal with Ukraine. It is reported that many countries are not participating in this year’s conference.
Welcoming the participants of the two-day summit, Putin said that we have recently reached a new horizon of cooperation with Africa. We want to develop it further. At that time, Putin promised to give free grain to African countries.
On the other hand, Moldova, one of the smallest and poorest countries in Europe, has expelled 45 Russian diplomats and other embassy staff. BBC and CNN news.