Putin and South African leader discuss trade and Ukraine conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, about strengthening bilateral cooperation and ending the Ukraine conflict, the Kremlin press service has reported.
According to the Kremlin, the two leaders affirmed their commitment to expanding existing partnerships in various fields, particularly in trade and economy, as well as investment, during a phone call on Monday.
“In view of the willingness to contribute in the search for ways to peacefully resolve the Ukraine crisis displayed by the South African side, Vladimir Putin outlined Russia’s principled stance regarding the necessity to eliminate the root causes behind the conflict and ensure Russia’s security interests are respected,” it stated.
South Africa has maintained a non-aligned stance on the Ukraine conflict despite external pressure to condemn Moscow. Pretoria also has good relations with Russia, with Ramaphosa recently hailing Moscow as a “valued” ally and “friend.”
In June 2023, President Ramaphosa led a delegation of African leaders to Russia and Ukraine, seeking ceasefire commitments from both sides. Moscow had said it would review a ten-point peace plan presented by the mission, but Kiev insisted it would only accept an agreement that calls for Russia’s unconditional withdrawal from all territories that Ukraine claims as its own.
In February, Ramaphosa announced that he had spoken to Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky about “the urgent need for an inclusive peace process that involves all parties in finding a resolution to the conflict.”
Zelensky is scheduled to visit South Africa on April 24 for what the African state’s officials have described as a continuation of Pretoria’s efforts to ensure that all views, including those of Moscow, are heard.
Last week, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told RT that Pretoria maintains that the Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved without Russia’s direct involvement in peace talks.
