PARIS, June 10. /TASS/. President of Senegal, African Union Chairman Macky Sall expressed his satisfaction with the conversation he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which lasted for almost 4 hours, adding that he received answers to all questions.
"President Putin was able to explain everything he wanted to explain and answered all our questions," Sall said in an interview for BFM. "Including the ones regarding our expressed hope for peace and restoration of export of the Ukrainian grain, as well as restoration of trade between Russia and Africa, especially shipments of grain and fertilizers."
He confirmed that he received explanations about the reasons of the conflict in Ukraine, noting that Putin "has his own logic and understanding of the situation."
"All his explanations regarding the reason of the conflict, including from the historic standpoint, are definitely justified. I cannot defend them, but I believe that, whatever they are, every leader must now work on making this conflict stop," Sall noted.
Answering a question regarding the goals of the Russian special military operation, the African Union chair opined that they primarily involve Donbass and eastern parts of Ukraine with Russian-speaking population including Crimea. He pointed out that Crimea was added to Ukraine only in 1954 under sole decision of Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev.
Answering reporters’ questions about Vladimir Putin’s health, Sall said he found him in good shape.
"I don’t know what is in his medical record, but I met a men standing firmly on his feet. We spent three hours and forty minutes discussing various issues and having dinner," he said, adding that he saw no signs of fatigue.
Last week, Vladimir Putin received Sall and African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki. After the meeting, Sall said that the Russian leader expressed his readiness to facilitate export of the Ukrainian grain and ensure shipments of food and fertilizer from Russia. He also called to withdraw sanctions that complicate export from Russia.