By Chisomo Phiri
PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that he had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier on Thursday, March 10, 2022, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the two leaders spoke after Ramaphosa requested a conversation.
The South African president said the purpose of the call was to 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,” said Ramaphosa.
He added that the Russian leader appreciated South Africa’s balanced approach.
Ramaphosa said the country has been approached to play a mediation role in the conflict because of its relations with Russia and its BRICS membership.
On Thursday March 10,2022, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungunbele reaffirmed the South African government’s position on the war, saying it would not pick sides in the conflict.
“Russia will have had their reasons, the West will have their views, but at the end of the day, it actually results in people fighting and dying.
“How you enter that, you must answer the question, how am I improving the situation? That is why South Africa avoids taking any side on this matter,” he said to the media after a cabinet meeting.