Moscow, 10 March 2022 (TDI): Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone, conversation with the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa. Both officials discussed the Ukraine crisis as well as bilateral issues between Russia and South Africa.
🇷🇺🇿🇦 📞 Presidents Vladimir #Putin & @CyrilRamaphosa spoke over the phone.
The leaders reaffirmed commitment to further develop strategic #partnership, noting, readiness to expand trade & economic cooperation, as well as joint #COVID19 response efforts.https://t.co/y7Aw8IzjyD pic.twitter.com/tkELkE5RlD
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) March 10, 2022
Discussion over Ukraine Crisis
In the conversation, the Russian President described goals and reasons for the special military operation in the Donbas region. Further, he briefed the South African counterpart about the ongoing talks with the Ukrainian representative. President Cyril Ramhosa supported diplomatic efforts to solve the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Discussion on Bilateral Relations
Besides the discussion on the Ukraine crisis, both officials exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Further, both Presidents agreed to enhance the bilateral strategic partnership between South Africa and Russia. They also talked about both countries’ readiness to expand trade, humanitarian and economic cooperation, and joint COVID-19 response efforts.
Moreover, both counterparts underlined the importance of interaction at international avenues, especially within the BRICS framework. BRICS is the acronym of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS aims to promote peace, security, development, and cooperation among member countries.
Russia Ukraine Crisis: An Overview
Ukraine and Russia have captured the entire world’s attention since 24th February as the latter launched a military operation in the former at the behest of its Security Council that convened a day before.
One of the main issues of contention between Russia and the EU/US as well as Ukraine is NATO’s beefed-up defenses in northeastern Europe and Ukraine’s intent to join NATO. Russian and Western counterparts held a series of negotiations to avert escalation. Though, that indelibly failed.
According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s stance regarding Ukraine is a matter of principle. In this context, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that if attempts to come to terms on mutually acceptable principles fail, Russia will adopt an appropriate response.
