Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that international relief organizations must take immediate action to address the consequences of the destruction of a dam used for hydroelectric power generation in Ukraine, stating that any organization not providing assistance on the ground is simply incompetent.
In his daily video address, Zelensky said, "It is essential that international organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, participate immediately in the rescue operation and assist people in the occupied part of the Kherson region." He added, "If an international organization is not present in the disaster area, it means it is not present at all or lacks competence."
Zelensky pointed out that "the residents in areas occupied by Russian forces in southern Ukraine have no water, food, or medical services, and it is impossible to determine how many people may die in those areas."
### African Initiative to Stop the Fighting
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba affirmed on Wednesday that "talks to resolve the conflict with Russia cannot begin just with a ceasefire." He stated in an online news briefing directed at African journalists after a tour in countries on the continent that "if anyone thinks they should freeze the conflict and then look for ways to resolve it, they do not understand the matter."
He added, "More than 100 rounds of consultations and attempts to reach a ceasefire since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 only resulted in a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022."
In this context, the South African presidency noted on Thursday that "President Cyril Ramaphosa had a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, informing him about the forthcoming peace mission of African leaders to Russia and Ukraine." The presidency stated in a communication that "President Putin welcomed the initiative of the African leaders and expressed his willingness to host the peace mission."
The statement also mentioned that "the two presidents discussed the upcoming Russia-Africa summit scheduled for the end of July in St. Petersburg." A delegation of African heads of state is expected to visit Ukraine and Russia in the coming days in the hope of persuading them to cease fighting, according to a spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking to Reuters last month.
The spokesperson noted on Wednesday that a date for this visit has not yet been set. The proposed "freezing" means the presence of Russian forces on Ukrainian territory even as peace talks begin. Ukraine previously stated that Russian forces must withdraw first before negotiations can commence, while Moscow wants Kyiv to recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea as a precondition for talks.
The initiative is led by Senegalese President Macky Sall, who was the chair of the African Union last year and whose country was absent from the recent UN vote condemning Russia in February. The initiative also includes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as well as the presidents of Zambia, the Republic of Congo, and Uganda, with the addition of the President of Comoros, the current chair of the African Union, to the delegation recently.
