Cyril Ramaphosa made preliminary feedback about being an ally of Russia throughout a BRICS summit hosted by Vladimir Putin | Photograph credit score: AP
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tried on Sunday (October 27, 2024) to make clear feedback he had made throughout a summit earlier within the week, insisting he was not favoring Russia over Ukraine.
“By declaring President Putin and the folks of Russia ‘invaluable associates and allies,’ President Ramaphosa was not projecting any explicit nation or bloc of nations as an enemy,” his workplace mentioned.
“It’s by way of the coverage of non-alignment that South Africa has been in a position to work together constructively with each Russia and Ukraine,” the assertion mentioned.
Ramaphosa had made the preliminary feedback about being an ally of Russia throughout a BRICS summit within the Russian metropolis of Kazan, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ramaphosa’s feedback had sparked a break up in his personal authorities, with the Democratic Alliance (DA), a former opposition social gathering that’s now an uneasy coalition accomplice, saying it couldn’t contemplate Russia or Putin as an ally.
The assertion on Sunday (27 October 2024) from the president’s workplace mentioned: “South Africa has additionally maintained its robust historic ties with the Russian Federation, whereas having fun with cordial bilateral diplomatic relations with Ukraine.”
On Monday (28 October 2024), South African Overseas Minister Ronald Lamola will host his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiga, and their talks will embody visa exemptions for South African officers.
“This can permit South African officers to journey to Ukraine for conferences on the peace method with out visa logistical impediments,” the assertion mentioned, which “indicators South Africa’s dedication to rising diplomatic relations with Ukraine.”
Whereas South Africa has tried to point out neutrality within the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it has been accused of tilting towards Moscow.
Shut ties between the 2 international locations date again to the apartheid period, when the Kremlin backed the liberation wrestle of the African Nationwide Congress.
Printed – October 28, 2024 12:56 pm IST
