In an interview with the Russian news agency, South Africa’s ambassador-at-large for Asia and the BRICS, Anil Sooklal, said relations between Russia and South Africa are “stronger than ever”.
He said that despite Western sanctions, Pretoria does not approve of Western sanctions against Russia.
For the South African diplomat, these sanctions are unilateral and South Africa is not part of them.
The proximity of Moscow and Pretoria is very visible. Moreover, the South African government did not condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the ICC’s arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges, he may be present in South Africa in August for the BRICS Summit.
This presence could put the South African government in a difficult position.
South Africa, which is also a member of the G20, is working to form a strong BRICS group and the main issues that will be discussed is the creation of a common currency for the BRICS, in order to deal with US domination and its currency.