Pretoria, South Africa- International relations and Co-operation Minister, Naledi Pandor, has said the country will go ahead in hosting military drills with Russia and China from the 17th to the 27th of February, 2023, in the Indian ocean in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Pandor made the remarks during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was in South Africa on Monday.
“All over the world countries conduct military exercises, there should be no compulsion for any country that it can’t conduct them with any of its partners and it’s part of natural cause of relations and we need to explain this to the public,” said the Minister.
In addition, Pandor said South Africa will always advocate for a diplomatic solution in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
“South Africa’s desire is that there should be a diplomatic solution and negotiations should be something we all work towards particularly in the context of the United Nations as the premium institution. We hold on to it and as to who mediates the international community should look into and as South Africa we want peace,” said Pandor.
Moreso, Lavrov said the military exercise is transparent and has been done before by other countries adding that Russia is also in favour of a peaceful settlement with Ukraine.
“Our exercises are transparent. We together with our partners have provided information and it’s available, of course there will be mixed reactions and there are those who are always trying to monopolize the international relations and it’s well known that we supported the negotiations early during the special military operation, two delegations agreed on principles. It is well known,” said Lavrov.
However, Ukrainians in South Africa held a small protest against the visit, with some waving signs reading “Go home Lavrov” and “Stop the lies! Stop the war.”
