South African president Cyril Ramaphosa is among a group of African leaders in Ukraine on a peace mission.
The presidents of Zambia, Senegal, Comoros, South Africa and Egypt’s prime minister are there, alongside senior officials from Uganda and Congo-Brazzaville.
They met President Zelenskyy and are expected to travel to St Petersburg in Russia later on Friday, before meeting President Putin on Saturday.
Missile attack on Kyiv is ‘message to Africa’ – Ukraine war latest
After meeting the delegation, Mr Zelenskyy reiterated that peace talks would only be possible when Russia pulls out of occupied areas.
In Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, the delegation placed candles at a mass grave near St Andrew’s Church.
Bucha is the site of one of the worst-known massacres of the war, with Russian troops killing hundreds of civilians there last year.
An air raid siren also rang out during the group’s visit to Kyiv and Mayor Vitali Klitschko said an explosion had been reported in the Podilskiy district.
“Russian missiles are a message to Africa: Russia wants more war, not peace,” tweeted Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.
The Ukrainian air force said it downed six Russian Kalibr cruise missiles, six Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles and two reconnaissance drones – but did not say where they were destroyed.
Peace is not the only matter on the agenda for the African leaders, however.
Officials also want to examine how Russia can be paid for fertiliser exports it desperately needs – despite the sanctions against Moscow.
They are also looking at getting more vital grain shipments out of Ukraine.
“Life is universal, and we must protect lives – Ukrainian lives, Russian lives, global lives,” said Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
“Instability anywhere is instability everywhere.”
The delegation appear to have split allegiances, however.
South Africa, Senegal and Uganda have avoided criticising Moscow; while Zambia, Egypt and Comoros last year voted against Russia in a UN resolution condemning the invasion.
