Russian President Putin held a phone conversation with his South African counterpart Ramaphosa, discussing cooperation and preparations for the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.
"Many important aspects of further developing bilateral strategic partnership were discussed," the Kremlin said in a statement on a June 7 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Kremlin said the two leaders discussed preparations for the Russia-Africa summit in late July in St. Petersburg and the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August. "The sides agreed that Russia and Africa will continue to closely coordinate on international platforms," the statement said.
Mr Putin agreed to meet with a delegation of African leaders to discuss their initiative on the Ukraine crisis. The South African president's office said the Kremlin leader welcomed the delegation's initiative.
Mr Ramaphosa said earlier this week that the African delegation, comprising the presidents of Zambia, Senegal, the Republic of Congo, Uganda, Egypt and South Africa, would begin its mission to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict "in mid-June" but did not give a specific date.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, Moscow, June 1. Photo: AFP
The call comes as South Africa has been in a dilemma since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for President Putin in March. The ICC has asked 123 member states, including South Africa, to arrest President Putin and transfer him to the Netherlands for trial if he sets foot on their territory.
South Africa in January invited President Putin to attend the BRICS summit in Johannesburg on August 22-24 as a head of state of a member state. Asked whether President Putin would attend the BRICS summit, the Kremlin said on May 30 that Russia would participate at the "appropriate level".
BRICS includes five countries: Russia, China, India, Brazil and South Africa, accounting for more than 40% of the world's population and nearly a quarter of the world's GDP.
South Africa has refused to condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying it wants to remain neutral and supports dialogue to end the conflict. Ramaphosa said on May 15 that South Africa would not be drawn “into the competition between global powers” over Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on June 7 that Moscow is grateful that its African partners have not engaged in anti-Russian campaigns and have chosen a balanced position in the European security crisis.
Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, TASS )
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