KHARTOUM, February 9. /TASS/. Russia’s African partners have taken a responsible and independent position since the very beginning of the events around Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during a joint press conference with the Foreign Minister of Sudan Ali Al-Sadiq Ali Thursday.

"Back when the special military operation started, African states have immediately taken, I believe, a responsible and independent position," Lavrov said.

The Minister noted that African states have taken this position since the very beginning of the events around Ukraine, which happened because the Minsk Agreements got undermined and Ukraine was turned into a threat for the Russian Federation and Russian-speakers.