Moscow: The conflict in Ukraine must end, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Saturday while they were both in Russia as part of a delegation seeking peace.

"This conflict must come to an end... Ramaphosa stated that it must be resolved through negotiations and diplomatic channels. Seven African leaders who made up his delegation, he continued, "came with a very clear message: that this war has to be ended."

Before holding official talks with the president of Russia, Ramaphosa stated that "this war is having a negative impact on the African continent and indeed on many other countries around the world."

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The delegation spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday in Kiev.

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President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani, who is in charge of the African Union at the moment, said, "We have come to listen to you and through you to hear the voice of the Russian people."

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He said, "We wanted to encourage you to engage in talks with Ukraine. African nations' positions on the conflict have varied, with some siding with Ukraine while others have remained neutral or tended to support Moscow.