Russia remains valued ally, friend, says S’Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Tuesday he considered Moscow a “valued ally” and friend during talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan.

Leaders from two dozen countries are expected to visit Russia for the three-day gathering, as Putin seeks to build an alliance of nations aimed at challenging what he calls 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.

Putin said Moscow’s relations with South Africa were based on “strategic partnership, equality, and mutual respect”.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Tuesday he considered Moscow a “valued ally” and friend during talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan.

Leaders from two dozen countries are expected to visit Russia for the three-day gathering, as Putin seeks to build an alliance of nations aimed at challenging what he calls 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.

Putin said Moscow’s relations with South Africa were based on “strategic partnership, equality, and mutual respect”.

Cover photo: Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 22, 2024. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / POOL / AFP)