Ramaphosa gets a call from Putin, discussing "emerging alignment" on peace

Key topics:Putin updates Ramaphosa on Trump meeting and Ukraine peace.Ramaphosa reaffirms South Africa’s non-aligned diplomatic stance.Call underscores Pretoria’s growing role in global mediation.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..By Kerry Lanaghan.Following a high-stakes meeting with former United States President Donald Trump, President Cyril Ramaphosa received a phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. Putin requested the call to brief the South African leader on the outcome of his recent talks with Trump in Anchorage, Alaska.According to a media release from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the conversation highlighted the diplomatic complexities of global relations. It reaffirmed South Africa's non-aligned stance in international conflicts. Putin expressed satisfaction with his meeting with Trump and noted an "emerging alignment on the peace process" between Russia and Ukraine. Ramaphosa, in turn, welcomed the briefing and reiterated South Africa's commitment to diplomatic solutions to end the conflict. The DIRCO statement further detailed that the two leaders discussed strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership and continued cooperation on international platforms.The phone call underscores South Africa's ongoing role as a key player in mediating global disputes, particularly concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As highlighted by an EWN report, South Africa's presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, confirmed that Putin initiated the call to brief Ramaphosa on his recent trip. Ramaphosa has been actively involved in peace initiatives, having held previous discussions with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. South Africa has been a prominent voice among African nations calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.The conversation between the two presidents is significant as it positions Ramaphosa as a trusted figure in major diplomatic circles. It suggests that Moscow sees South Africa not just as a BRICS partner, but as a crucial point of contact for relaying information and garnering support for its diplomatic efforts. The call confirms South Africa's active engagement on the world stage, navigating a delicate balance between its relations with major Western powers and its long-standing ties with Russia. This diplomatic manoeuvring is crucial as South Africa continues to chair the G20 nations, placing it at the centre of global political and economic discussions.

Ramaphosa gets a call from Putin, discussing "emerging alignment" on peace

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