Putin Congratulates Ramaphosa on Re-election Amid Global Tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended congratulations to South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday following his re-election as president, underscoring continued bilateral relations between Moscow and Pretoria amidst global uncertainties surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement published on the Kremlin website, Putin conveyed his hopes for the ongoing enhancement of partnership between Russia and South Africa across all spheres.
The congratulatory phone call came shortly after Ramaphosa secured his re-election through parliament on Friday, albeit amid challenges for his African National Congress (ANC) party, which failed to secure an outright majority in recent elections.
Historically, South Africa has maintained close ties with Russia, dating back to the Soviet era when Moscow supported anti-apartheid efforts championed by the ANC.
Despite initially criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, South Africa has adopted a nuanced stance in subsequent diplomatic engagements, including abstentions in United Nations General Assembly votes on the matter.
The diplomatic landscape has seen Russia and Ukraine vie for support from African nations, with both countries’ foreign ministers undertaking extensive regional tours to shore up alliances.
South Africa’s involvement in international forums, such as the recent Swiss-hosted “peace summit” on Ukraine, has been marked by careful diplomacy, reflected in its decision not to sign the summit’s final communique alongside several other countries.
Moreover, South Africa’s role as the host of the 2023 BRICS summit has posed diplomatic challenges, particularly regarding the potential invitation of President Putin, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over allegations related to the Ukrainian conflict.
The political landscape remains complex for South Africa, balancing historical ties with Russia against global pressures and international norms.
