Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly set to send a delegation to the US to discuss South Africa’s stance on Russia in preparation for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to SA in August.
Reports alleged that the delegation would engage stakeholders on SA’s position regarding Russia to resolve tensions around SA’s much-criticised relation with Russia as R400 billion worth of trade hangs in the balance.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on 18 March, accusing him of committing war crimes regarding the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
While Minister of Internal Relations Naledi Pandor has reiterated that SA and Russia remain on friendly terms, the country is currently navigating its way around an ICC warrant of arrest for Putin amid global pressure to cut ties with Russia.
According to News24 the Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa would send an envoy but both the Presidency and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s spokesperson remained mum on who would be sent.
The report said ANC NEC member Obed Bapela however suggested that the selected individual would be well-experienced and highly regarded.
Bapela said it would most likely be people such as former ministers, those who were in exile in the USA, the leadership of former anti-apartheid organisations in the USA, US leadership both in Democratic and Republican parties.
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“They might also choose those who might have occupied the highest positions in the organisation or in academia or business, with credential of knowing and understanding the politics of the USA.” the report quoted Bapela as saying.
Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Naledi Pandor said that the envoys would be sent to “engage and persuade” stakeholders on the country’s stance on Russia and its president, reported BusinessTech.
The report said that the country’s relations with Russia and its stance on the Ukraine invasion suggest that Putin would not be arrested when attending the BRICS summit hosted by SA in August, a move that will not go down well with United States and nations in Europe, who are tightening sanctions against Russia.
The diplomatic and political fallout over the issue could put South Africa’s R400 billion in trade with the United States at risk, the report said.
The report said SA chief executives, analysts, economists and risk specialists have been warning that SA’s close ties to Russia are quickly becoming one of the biggest in the country and the trade being gabled is bigger than just the United States.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
