Govt stands by its foreign policy position of non-alignment - Lamola

CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said that government stands by its foreign policy of non-alignment.

He said he did not think this means South Africa’s position was not being heard on matters where it’s adopted such an approach.

On Monday, Lamola met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, in Pretoria, who appealed to government to keep the Ukraine war at the top of the G20’s agenda when it takes over the chairmanship in a few weeks.

Last week, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen rebuked President Cyril Ramaphosa for calling Russia an ally and friend of South Africa.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine more than two years ago, the DA has been openly supportive of Ukraine.

Lamola said that by sending envoys around the world to explain government’s non-aligned position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine doesn’t mean it’s not being heard or understood.

"It's part of normal diplomatic processes. In diplomacy, you explain everything. You continue to engage all parties, and that’s why countries go around the world. We visit each other."

Lamola said that Monday’s meeting with the Ukrainian foreign affairs minister was part of engagements to better understand each other’s positions.

"We continue to state and emphasise our position of non-alignment in all these platforms that we participate in it, and to engage all parties to find long-lasting peace for the globe."

Lamola said that South Africa firmly believes Russia’s participation was vital for the success of the next round of peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.

Last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa led a delegation of African heads of state to Kyiv to propose a plan for peace between the warring countries.