Vladimir Putin offers Cyril Ramaphosa Russia’s support

2023-07-29 19:58:59

Russian President Vladimir Putin today offered his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, Russia’s support for the BRICS summit, which he will not attend in person due to the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court ( ICC) for alleged war crimes.

“I am sure that the meeting you prepare will take place at the highest level. I have no doubt. And we will do everything to help and support you”the Russian president told Ramaphosa in a bilateral meeting held at the Constantine Palace, on the outskirts of Saint Petersburg.

Putin will participate by videoconference in the BRICS summit, which brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and the Russian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The Group meeting will be held in Johannesburg from August 22 to 24.

According to the ICC, the arrest warrant against Putin was issued because evidence was found to charge him with war crimes for the deportation of Ukrainian children.

The Russian President today thanked Ramaphosa for his “active participation” at the second Russia-Africa summit, which concluded this Friday in Saint Petersburg.

Regarding bilateral relations, He stressed that these are based on the principles of the strategic association.

“The interaction between our countries is becoming more intense and diverse. A multilevel political dialogue has been established, trade and economic ties and cooperation are developing,” added the Russian president.

He stressed that in the past the commercial exchange between Russia and South Africa registered an increase of 16.4%, although he expressed that in absolute figures it could improve, noting that it reached 1,300 million dollars.

Ramaphosa, in turn, expressed his satisfaction with the state of strategic relations between the two countries and advocated the increase of commercial exchanges.

“Cooperation must be expanded. In the field of energy, South Africa is currently experiencing an energy crisis, and we can learn a lot from Russia and do a lot together with Russia on this issue”said.