Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visits South Africa amid rising tens

Pretoria/Moscow: After the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, many countries on the African continent refused to support the Western Front by adopting an isolationist policy. Besides, African countries maintained their stance even after European countries and the US tried to put pressure on this. Against this background, Russia and China have further accelerated their efforts to increase their influence in Africa. A few days ago, the Chinese Foreign Minister visited Africa. After that, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visits South Africa now.

Foreign Minister Lavrov met South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor in Pretoria on Monday. On this occasion, various issues were discussed regarding further widening bilateral cooperation between the two countries. At this time, the Russian Minister criticised the role adopted by the Front of the Western countries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. After the start of the battle, Russia made a peace proposal in March. However, due to the pressure from Western countries, Ukraine rejected the agreement, Lavrov claimed.

Foreign Minister Lavrov also supported joint naval exercises in South Africa next month. Lavrov explained that Russia had provided all the information about this exercise with China and South Africa, so there was no question of a dispute over it. Moreover, in February, Russia and China will participate in naval exercises with South Africa. The South African Army had informed that it would conduct a multinational exercise named Operation Mosi from February 17 to 26. South Africa also said that it would undertake the exercise in the maritime area of Durban and Richards Bay. Analysts claimed that the exercise showed China and Russia’s growing influence in Africa.

Russian destroyer Admiral Gorshkov will participate in this exercise in South Africa, Russia informed. Furthermore, Russia has deployed hypersonic missiles on this destroyer.

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