South African President: It's best to end the conflict before losing everything. Zelensky refuses the African mediation proposal. Leaders | Zelensky | Conflict
According to Agence France Presse, Ukrainian President Zelensky rejected a mediation proposal put forward by a delegation of African leaders on June 16, calling it Russia's "deceptive behavior" during the Ukrainian military's counterattack.
According to reports, a delegation led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa proposed mediation in Kiev and will then travel to Russia.
Ramaphosa said, "Both sides should ease the situation.".
On June 16th, Ukrainian President Zelensky and South African President Ramaphosa attended a joint press conference with African leaders.
Zelensky said at a joint press conference with African leaders, "When the occupiers are on our land, allowing negotiations with Russia now means freezing war, freezing pain and suffering."
Zelensky said, "It is clear that Russia is once again attempting to use its old-fashioned deception tactics. But Russia will no longer be able to successfully deceive the world," and "we will not give it a second chance.".
![South African President: It's best to end the conflict before losing everything. Zelensky refuses the African mediation proposal. Leaders | Zelensky | Conflict](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/4c20a301d76349e048e541915fcfd260.jpg)
In addition, according to the Russian Sputnik News Agency, Ramafosa said at a joint press conference with Zerensky on the 16th that African leaders expressed their views on the need to end the conflict as soon as possible when meeting Zerensky.
Ramaphosa said, "It is necessary to end the conflict as soon as possible, because any conflict will come to an end. It is best to end the conflict before losing everything. We have expressed our view on this."
The delegation of African leaders arrived in Kiev on the morning of the 16th, and will then go to Russia. On the 17th, they will hold talks with Russian President Putin in St. Petersburg.
The members of the delegation include South African President Ramaphosa, Senegalese President Maki Sal, Zambian President Hakkand Hichilema, Comorian President Azali Asumani, and representatives from Congo, Uganda, and Egypt.