Opposition parties and the country’s small Ukrainian community condemned the visit
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in South Africa today for talks with one of his country’s most important allies on a continent divided over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Western efforts to isolate Moscow.
Lavrov will meet his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor in the capital Pretoria in what South African government officials have described as a formal visit. However, opposition parties and the country’s small Ukrainian community condemned the visit.
Arrival | Official visit to the Republic of South Africa by HE Mr Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, 23 January 2023.
📍#DIRCOOR Tambo building, Pretoria.#BilateralRelations #SARussiaRelations 🇿🇦🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/us3wfUAfiz
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) January 23, 2023
A representative of the South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Lavrov arrived in the country early this morning and is expected to hold a joint press conference with Pandor at 12.00 Greek time.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government considers South Africa neutral in the war in Ukraine and has expressed a desire to mediate.
Pandora has repeatedly insisted her country does not support either side and has criticized the West for selectively condemning Russia while ignoring other aggressive actions, such as Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land.
Although South Africa has declared its neutrality in the conflict and abstained from voting on resolutions at the United Nations, it has maintained close relations with Russia, which was a friend of the current ruling African National Congress when it was a liberation movement against its rule. white minority.
The South African military is set to host a joint military exercise with Russia and China on the country’s east coast from February 17 to 27, a move likely to further strain ties with Washington and European countries.
It even coincides with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
RES-EMP
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