Russia is an important partner for South Africa, Ramaphosa tells Putin

South Africa sees Russia as a valuable partner, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a meeting with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. The meeting took place on the eve of the BRICS summit of emerging economies, which will take place in Kazan, Russia.

Ramaphosa said, “We continue to see Russia as a valued ally, as a valued friend who supported us right from the beginning, from the days of our struggle against apartheid,” according to a video clip of the meeting that was shared on social media by South Africa’s government news agency.

“It will be an important time for the BRICS family to talk here in Kazan,” the South African president said.