President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, May 13, 2023, amidst allegations that South Africa supplied weapons and ammunition to Russia, despite Pretoria having taken a neutral stance on its invasion of Ukraine. During the virtual meeting, Zelensky warned that anyone who helps an aggressor with a weapon would be an accomplice with all the consequences, adding that he had called on Ramaphosa to join other countries of the world, all continents, and Africa in implementing their peace formula.
This meeting followed comments made by the US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, in a media briefing on Thursday, where he claimed that weapons had been loaded onto a Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, in Cape Town in December. The Presidency of South Africa denied the claim, describing Brigety’s comments as “disappointing,” but officials agreed to launch an independent investigation. The accusation led to tension between South Africa and the US, with Brigety being summoned in protest.
Despite pressure from the US and its allies, South Africa has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion. In a bid to address the issue, Zelensky and Ramaphosa discussed the peace formula, justice, and the need for the world to be united by the rules of international law, according to the statement.
A day earlier, Ramaphosa also had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the “strategic partnership” between the two nations. The Kremlin stated that Putin supports the idea of involving a group of African leaders in discussing the prospects for resolving the war in Ukraine.