Six African leaders are planning to travel to Russia and Ukraine in an effort to find a resolution to the ongoing war, according to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have agreed to receive the mission and meet with the African heads of state in Moscow and Kyiv. Ramaphosa presented an initiative developed by Zambia, Senegal, the Republic of Congo, Uganda, Egypt, and South Africa during separate telephone calls with Putin and Zelensky.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the African Union (AU) have been briefed on the initiative and have expressed their support for it. Ramaphosa did not provide specific details or a timeline for the visit but emphasized the devastating impact of the conflict and the suffering experienced by Africa as a result. The African initiative has garnered cautious support from Washington and several European capitals visited by facilitators presenting the plan. 

This mission is part of broader diplomatic efforts to resolve the war, which has seen previous unsuccessful peace negotiations and involvement from other countries. South Africa, facing accusations of supplying weapons to Russia, aims to rehabilitate its image as a neutral player and mediator. Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa's commitment to its non-aligned position and refusal to be drawn into a contest between global powers, emphasizing that their neutrality does not favor Russia over other countries or jeopardize relationships with other nations.