Telephone conversation with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa at the South African side’s initiative.

May 12, 2023

17:50

The presidents discussed topical issues of Russian-South African relations of strategic partnership. They expressed a desire to further step up mutually beneficial ties in various areas.

The presidents noted the importance of further close, bilateral coordination of positions during preparations for major multilateral events, in particular, the Second Russia-Africa Summit scheduled for July in St Petersburg and the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in August under South Africa’s Presidency.

During the discussion of global food security, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to supply needy African countries with substantial amounts of grain and fertiliser, including no-cost deliveries.

Having supported Cyril Ramaphosa’s idea on the participation of a group of African leaders in discussing the prospects for settling the conflict in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin set forth his principled assessments of the destructive line pursued by the Kiev regime and its patrons. He noted that Russia has never refused to work on the diplomatic track.

It was agreed to continue contacts at various levels.

Statement issued by the Russian Presidency, 12 May 2023