South African and Ukrainian presidents discuss Russian invasion
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa Liubov Abravitova on Thursday confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, have discussed the crisis over Russia’s invasion.
Abravitova said the two leaders had a call on Wednesday night, and the conversation focused on potential cooperation between South Africa and Ukraine.
Abravitova said she subsequently spoke to Ramaphosa “about our resistance to Russian aggression”. She said they “discussed the threat of a global food crisis, deepening relations with the Republic of South Africa and cooperation within international organisations”.
Ramaphosa came under fire for only calling Russian President Vladimir Putin last month.
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has also been slammed for abstaining during the recent UN vote criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
John Steenhuisen, the leader of the official opposition Democratic Alliance, accused the government of hiding behind the veneer of neutrality to give tacit support to President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
He flagged Russia’s expansion into Africa through “elite capture”. “Fifteen African nations are currently involved in Russian-financed nuclear power deals, and many more are locked into Russian security contracts. Connect these dots and the full picture of the ANC’s support for Russia begins to emerge,” he said.
Steenhuisen said the ANC, which once relied on global solidarity in the struggle to end apartheid, had now sided with the oppressor.
“Every world leader with a moral conscience has condemned it and called on Russia to withdraw, but not South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa,” he added.
ANC MP Lindiwe Zulu argued that her government will never forget Russia’s role in fighting against the apartheid regime.
She said both countries – Ukraine and Russia – should be brought to the negotiation table and be able to find an amicable solution.
-0- PANA CU/MA 21April2022
