Kremlin will likely exploit proposals by African delegation for information operations – ISW
The Kremlin will likely use the June 17 meeting with African leaders and their rhetoric to slow down Western aid to Ukraine.
This is said in a new report released by the Institute of the Study of War (ISW), according to Ukrinform.
It is noted that a delegation representing seven African states met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on June 17, following a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky on June 16, to propose “a generalized peace plan focused on resuming international trade.”
At the meeting with Putin, President of Comoros and current African Union Chairperson Azali Asoumani notably used language similar to the Kremlin’s preferred ”Russian world” rhetoric about the war in Ukraine, stating that stability in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the world depends on fraternal relationships between neighboring Slavic “friendly nations.”
Asoumani also highlighted that peace in Ukraine is important for addressing international food and energy security.
“The delegation likely seeks to balance Ukraine and Russia to maintain longstanding bilateral relationships with Russia without fully tying themselves diplomatically to the Kremlin’s war,” the report says.
In turn, Putin stated that the Kremlin welcomes the African states’ “balanced” approach to resolving the war in Ukraine.
According to the analytics, the Kremlin will likely exploit this proposal to promote Russian information operations aiming to slow Western security assistance to Ukraine and has not demonstrated any intent to engage with any peace process meaningfully.
ISW has previously assessed that the Kremlin has routinely signaled a false willingness to negotiate a settlement to the war to prompt Western concessions and dissuade Western officials from sending further support to Ukraine.
The Kremlin also used the equally vague peace plan presented by China in the spring of 2023 to amplify this information operation and has not yet attempted to expound upon the broad suggestions in that plan.
As reported by Ukrinform, the fiercest fighting on the contact line during the Ukrainian counteroffensive is observed in three sectors. The Russian invaders are suffering heavy losses.