President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has considered Russia a “valued ally” and friend. He said this during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan on Tuesday.
Leaders from around 24 nations are expected to converge in Russia for the three-day conference. Putin aims to form a coalition of countries to confront what he refers to as the West’s “hegemony.”
“We continue to see Russia as a valued ally, as a valued friend, who supported us right from the beginning: from the days of our struggle against Apartheid, right through to now,” Ramaphosa told Putin during talks, according to an AFP reporter.
According to Vladimir Putin, Moscow’s relations with South Africa were based on “strategic partnership, equality, and mutual respect”.
“And, of course, Russia attaches particular importance to strengthening relations with the countries of the African continent,” the Kremlin chief added.
The 2023 BRICS summit took place in Johannesburg, but Putin did not show up in person. This was because the International Criminal Court, of which South Africa is a member, had issued a warrant for his arrest.
South Africa refrained from voting on UN resolutions that condemned Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine in February 2022 but has urged for an end to the conflict. Last year, South Africa led an African “peace mission” to both countries.