Russian President Vladimir Putin has told a group of African leaders that he respects the proposal for peace in Ukraine which they put forward last month.
On the second day of the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg, Mr Putin said he would study the plan “carefully”.
The Russian leader also said his country had written off $23bn (£18bn) worth of debt to African countries.
He did not name the countries nor did he specify the time period involved.
African leaders were also told that Russia was interested in greater military collaboration.