Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, was received by his counterpart, the president of South Africa, for talks on Monday in Pretoria. The visit, which came amid the conflict in Ukraine, has drawn criticism.
South Africa, a major player on the continent, has refrained from denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and from taking a side in the conflict.
Wide-ranging Western sanctions on Moscow as well as efforts to diplomatically isolate it have been brought on by the crisis.
The meetings, which, according to the foreign minister of South Africa, Naledi Pandor, would have helped “strengthen the existing good relations” between the two nations, were hailed as the “most fantastic meeting.”
As she sat next to the top ambassador from Moscow, she referred to Russia as a “valuable partner.”
Recently, South Africa took over as chairperson of the BRICS, a coalition that also consists of Brazil, Russia, India, and China and was formed to oppose the predominately American and European-led global governance systems.
It was revealed last week that in February, off the port city of Durban and Richards Bay, it would organize 10-day combined maritime exercises with Russia and China.
However, the ties to Moscow have drawn criticism in the nation, with some charging that the government has given up on its neutral stance.
Darren Bergman, a politician for the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party, declared that “it is increasingly obvious that the South African administration is openly working with Russia.”
He asserted that “friendly contact” with Russia was “inappropriate” unless it was intended to influence it to withdraw from Ukraine.
Russia does not “refuse dialogue” with Ukraine, Lavrov said during a press conference.
However, he added, “those who refuse must comprehend that the longer they refuse, the harder it is to find a solution.
The shutdown of diplomatic lines has been attributed by Moscow officials to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has declared that he will not engage in negotiations while Russian President Vladimir Putin is in office.
The Kremlin has thus far shown little readiness to moderate its attitude in practice, despite the outward overtures.
Members of the Ukrainian community in South Africa conducted a modest demonstration against the visit in Pretoria, some of whom carried posters that read “Lavrov, go home, and stop telling lies! Abolish the war.”
The foundation of the late Nobel Peace Prize winner and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu dubbed the upcoming naval drills “disgraceful” and “tantamount to a declaration that South Africa is joining the war against Ukraine” last week.
Pandor defended the exercises, claiming that they were a normal element of international affairs.
All nations engage in joint military training, she noted.
