Putin updates South African leader on Witkoff talks
The phone call, made at Putin's request, also covered bilateral issues and ways to deepen the 'strategic partnership' between Russia and South Africa, according to separate statements from the presidents' offices.
'The Russian side expressed appreciation for the well-known peace initiative aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis that was put forward by several African states, including South Africa,' the Kremlin stated.
The South African presidency said 'Ramaphosa welcomed the briefing and expressed South Africa's full support to peace initiatives that will end the war and contribute to a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.'
No further details were provided about what Putin told Ramaphosa regarding his nearly three-hour meeting with Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday. Earlier, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told reporters that Donald Trump's special envoy and Putin had exchanged 'signals' on the Ukraine conflict and discussed a range of topics, including Russia-US relations and prospects for strategic cooperation.
South Africa has maintained a non-aligned stance on the Ukraine conflict despite external pressure to condemn Moscow, which it regards as a 'valued ally.' Ramaphosa led a delegation of African leaders to Russia and Ukraine in June 2023 in a bid to secure ceasefire commitments from both sides. He has since held bilateral talks with Putin and Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky on an inclusive peace process involving all parties to the crisis.
Thursday's conversation with Putin came a day after Ramaphosa spoke by phone with Trump about bilateral trade, according to a statement.
The Trump administration has imposed a 30% tariff on South African exports to the US, a measure that took effect on August 7 despite Pretoria's efforts to negotiate a 'fair' agreement with Washington.
On Wednesday, however, the South African presidency said the two leaders had agreed to 'continue with further engagements, recognizing the various trade negotiations the US is currently involved in. Respective trade negotiating teams will take forward more detailed discussions.'
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