Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was welcomed by his South African counterpart for talks in Pretoria on Monday, in a visit that sparked criticism of the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
A continental powerhouse, South Africa refused to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and refused to take sides in the war.
The conflict has led to Western sanctions against Moscow and efforts to isolate it diplomatically.
Russia is a ‘valued partner’
South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor thanked Lavrov for the “best meeting” after the talks, which he earlier said would help “strengthen the already good relations” between the two countries.
Sitting next to Moscow’s top diplomat, he described Russia as a “valued partner”.
South Africa recently became the chair of BRICS, a group that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China to challenge the global governance structure led by the US and Europe.
Last week, it announced it would host a 10-day joint maritime exercise with Russia and China in the port cities of Durban and Richards Bay in February.
But relations with Moscow have sparked criticism in the country, with some accusing the government of abandoning its neutral stance.
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“It is increasingly clear that the South African government is openly siding with Russia,” said Darren Bergman, a member of parliament with the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party.
“Friendly engagement” with Russia “is not appropriate” unless it is aimed at persuading to end its involvement in Ukraine, he said.
Lavrov told a press conference that Russia had not “rejected negotiations” with Ukraine.
“But those who refuse should understand that the longer they refuse, the harder it is to find a solution,” he said.
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Officials in Moscow blamed the closure of diplomatic channels on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said he would not negotiate while Russian leader Vladimir Putin was in power.
Despite public overtures, the Kremlin has so far shown little willingness to soften its approach on the ground.
Ukrainians protest against the visit
In Pretoria, members of the Ukrainian community in South Africa staged a small protest against the visit, with several signs reading “Go home Lavrov” and “Stop the lies! Stop the war”.
Last week, the foundation of late South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, called the planned naval exercises “deceptive” and “amount to a declaration that South Africa is at war against Ukraine”.
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Pandor defended the exercises, saying they were part of a natural relationship between nations.
“All countries do military exercises with friends,” he said.
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