https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230628/south-africas-voice-on-ukraine-crisis-changed-german-fm-claims-1060202810.html
South Africa's 'Voice' on Ukraine Crisis Changed, German Top Diplomat Claims
South Africa's 'Voice' on Ukraine Crisis Changed, German Top Diplomat Claims
Sputnik Africa
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's statement came during her Tuesday visit to Pretoria, where she said that she gained additional information about... 28.06.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-06-28T10:38+0200
2023-06-28T10:38+0200
2023-08-03T10:50+0200
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South Africa's position on the conflict in Ukraine has changed, believes German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.Following talks with her German counterpart, South African Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Naledi Pandor said Pretoria favors a swift end to the armed hostilities in Ukraine and the start of negotiations between the conflicting parties. She commended the recent African peacekeeping mission tour to the Russian Federation and Ukraine as encouraging.The peace initiative to resolve the conflict in Ukraine was presented by an African delegation, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 16 and 17, respectively.Ramaphosa called Africa's initiative a "historic mission in a quest for peace," adding that one of the key elements is to listen to the positions of Zelensky and Putin.The 10-point plan is based on security guarantees and covers issues related to the free export of grain through the Black Sea, the release of prisoners, and the initiation of peace talks. Zelensky told the delegation that peace negotiations are impossible until Russia withdraws its troops. The Russian president said that some clauses of the African initiative coincide with Moscow's position and discussions should continue.Pressure Over NeutralityLast week, the German media reported that an international meeting on Ukraine was held in the Danish capital of Copenhagen with the participation of diplomats from Western countries, as well as representatives of Brazil, India, China and South Africa "in the strictest secrecy." The channel noted that the goal of the West was to enlist the support of these BRICS countries, which had so far remained neutral in the situation around Ukraine.In May, Cyril Ramaphosa stated that South Africa had been under "extraordinary pressure" to abandon its position of neutrality and choose sides in the confrontation between Russia and the West.This pressure was manifested in the allegations of the US Ambassador to Pretoria Reuben Brigety that South Africa was supplying arms to Russia.Two days later, however, Brigety backtracked and admitted that he had crossed the line, consequently apologizing after an official protest from the South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs.In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov advised the ambassador to "know your place and stay out of other nations' business," noting that Moscow has never broken international norms.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230619/putin-zelensky-agreed-to-further-engage-with-african-peace-mission-ramaphosa-1060022914.html
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230515/south-africa-under-extraordinary-pressure-to-pick-sides-in-ukraine-conflict-1059264318.html
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South Africa's 'Voice' on Ukraine Crisis Changed, German Top Diplomat Claims
10:38 28.06.2023 (Updated: 10:50 03.08.2023) German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's statement came during her Tuesday visit to Pretoria, where she said that she gained additional information about the African peacekeeping mission's trip to Russia and Ukraine.
South Africa's position on the conflict in Ukraine has changed, believes German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
"It is obvious that the long efforts in diplomacy are paying off, since the voice of South Africa, in my opinion, has already changed," the top diplomat was quoted by the German media as saying.
Following talks with her German counterpart, South African Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Naledi Pandor said Pretoria favors a swift end to the armed hostilities in Ukraine and the start of negotiations between the conflicting parties.
She commended the recent African peacekeeping mission tour to the Russian Federation and Ukraine
as encouraging.The peace initiative to resolve the conflict in Ukraine was presented by an African delegation, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 16 and 17, respectively.
Ramaphosa called Africa's initiative a "historic mission in a quest for peace," adding that one of the key elements is to listen to the positions of Zelensky and Putin.
The 10-point plan is based on security guarantees and covers issues related to the free export of grain through the Black Sea, the release of prisoners, and the initiation of peace talks.
Zelensky told the delegation that peace negotiations are impossible until Russia withdraws its troops. The Russian president said that some clauses of the African initiative coincide with Moscow's position and discussions should continue.
Last week, the German media reported that an international meeting on Ukraine was held in the Danish capital of Copenhagen with the participation of diplomats from Western countries, as well as representatives of Brazil, India, China and South Africa "in the strictest secrecy."
The channel noted that the goal of the West
was to enlist the support of these BRICS countries, which had so far remained neutral in the situation around Ukraine.
The South African president's office denied its delegation had taken part in the alleged meeting.
In May, Cyril Ramaphosa stated that South Africa had been under "extraordinary pressure" to abandon its position of neutrality and choose sides in the confrontation between Russia and the West.
This pressure was manifested in the allegations of the US Ambassador to Pretoria Reuben Brigety that South Africa was supplying arms to Russia.
Two days later, however, Brigety backtracked and admitted that he had crossed the line, consequently apologizing after an
official protest from the South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov advised the ambassador to "know your place and stay out of other nations' business," noting that Moscow has never broken international norms.
