Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday said he had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
The conversation centred on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
“Thanking His Excellency President Vladimir Putin for taking my call today, so I could gain an understanding of the situation that was unfolding between Russia and Ukraine.
“I outlined our position on the conflict that has unfolded as well as our belief that the conflict should be resolved through mediation and negotiation between the parties and – if need be – with the help of agencies that can help bring a solution to the conflict,” Ramaphosa tweeted.
Thanking His Excellency President Vladimir Putin for taking my call today, so I could gain an understanding of the situation that was unfolding between Russia and Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/jzuWXyIjfL
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 10, 2022
I outlined our position on the conflict that has unfolded as well as our belief that the conflict should be resolved through mediation and negotiation between the parties and – if need be – with the help of agencies that can help bring a solution to the conflict.
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 10, 2022
President Putin appreciated our balanced approach. We believe this position enables both parties to subject the conflict to mediation & negotiation. Based on our relations with the Russian Federation & as member of BRICS, South Africa has been approached to play a mediation role.
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 10, 2022
He said that Putin appreciated South Africa’s balanced approach to the conflict, adding that the country has been approached to play a mediation role.
“We believe this position enables both parties to subject the conflict to mediation and negotiation. Based on our relations with the Russian Federation and as a member of BRICS, South Africa has been approached to play a mediation role,” Ramaphosa said.
Last week, South Africa was urged to clarify its stance over the ongoing conflict, with the Nelson Mandela Foundation calling on the government to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
ALSO READ | Russia-Ukraine conflict: SA urged to clarify its stance
The foundation said that the government should call for a ceasefire in the battle.
In a statement, the foundation urged “the South African government to show leadership at this critical moment and press for a ceasefire so that rigorous negotiations on the future can be mapped out. We have indicated to the government our availability to assist in this regard.
“A lesson to be relearned is that whether we are talking about Ukraine or about the many other crises around the world, when the rule of law is cast aside and strategies of violence adopted, the resulting misery is far more devastating among weak and vulnerable countries. It is imperative that channels for peacemaking, negotiation and dialogue be pursued urgently and relentlessly”.
According to EWN, many countries have blamed Russia for being on the wrong side of history by occupying Ukraine with artillery strikes and killing many people and causing million others to flee.
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Picture: Twitter/@CyrilRamaphosa
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
