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A delegation of the Elders led by Kofi Annan is currently in Russia to discuss regional stability including in the Middle East and UN reform with various officials, dignitaries and academics.

The group is also expected to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday 29 April.

Along with Kofi Annan, the team comprises former President Jimmy Carter of the United States, Marti Ahtisaari of Finland, Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico, Gro Harlem Brundtland of Norway and Lakhdar Brahimi, special envoy of the UN Secretary General for Syria in 2012-2014. 

Kofi Annan has on several occasions in the recent past stressed that Russia and the international community must work together to stabilise Ukraine and other parts of the world, including several regions in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomed the delegation saying: “I will be glad to hear the delegation’s assessment of what is happening in different parts of the world, and I will also be glad to share Russia’s view on various crises that require joint efforts of the international community”.