Leaders of South Africa and Ukraine speak about renewing grain deal

South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky both want the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be resolved peacefully.

They met and talked on Tuesday because the Ukrainian president asked them to. This was confirmed by the South African presidency in a statement on Wednesday.

It means that Mr. Ramaphosa was happy that Mr. Zelensky wants to bring back the Black Sea Grain Initiative. They both promised to keep working together on it.

Russia stopped participating in a grain agreement that was made between the UN, Turkey, and Russia in July 2022. This agreement allowed grain from Ukraine to be sold to other countries.

Ukraine has suggested creating places in African ports where grains can be stored and traded.

Last month, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, announced that Ukraine had agreed to establish a center for storing and distributing grains in the port of Mombasa. This center will provide grains to the eastern African region.

Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan were some of the countries that gained advantages from the Black Sea Grain agreement.

During the discussions, Mr. Ramaphosa also expressed his country’s dedication to actively participating in the Africa Peace Initiative. This initiative was proposed by seven African leaders earlier this year as a potential way to achieve peace.

He agreed that his country will take part in the peace talks proposed by Ukraine, which will involve national security advisors.