Reports indicate that Belgium has called on South Africa on Thursday to use its influence with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine.
The Belgian king visited Pretoria on a formal visit when the appeal was made.
During a five-day state visit to the nation, King Philippe is traveling with Queen Mathilde and Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.
President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to the call by saying that Pretoria continues “to use the channel we have with Russia to talk about how the conflict can be brought to an end”.
South Africa, which claims it wants to remain neutral and prefers diplomacy to resolve the war, has declined to denounce the invasion of Ukraine, which has largely isolated Moscow on the international stage.
President Vladimir Putin has been invited to the BRICS summit, which will be held in South Africa in August and brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Pretoria conducted a contentious joint military exercise with China and Russia last month.
