Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa is to discuss the Russia and Ukraine conflict with US President Joe Biden. PHOTO: DIRCO

Biden expected to pressure Ramaphosa on Russia during US visit

Ramaphosa has not come out to fully condemn Russia’s attack on the Ukraine but Biden is expected to pressure him at the White House.

Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa is to discuss the Russia and Ukraine conflict with US President Joe Biden. PHOTO: DIRCO

President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently in Washington DC in the United States after being invited by US President Joe Biden for a visit. But what will be on the agenda of their meeting is Ramaphosa’s stand on the Russia/Ukraine conflict.

RAMAPHOSA TO MEET WITH JOE BIDEN

The visit is to take place over three days, coming to an end on Saturday. This will be the first visit to the White House by a South African President since 2014.

The two leaders are meeting at the White House to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, said presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

Other issues on the table include trade and investment, climate change, food security, energy and peace and security.

“South Africa and the United States enjoy historic and cordial relations. The US is a major export market for South Africa, a significant source of foreign direct investment, and a partner in technology transfer, development assistance and tourism.”

Vincent Magwenya

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Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa landed in the US on Wednesday after an invitation by US President Joe Biden. PHOTO: Twitter/@PresidencyZA

RUSSIA AND UKRAINE TO BE PART OF THE MEETING AGENDA

President Ramaphosa has refrained from making public calls directly condemning BRICS partner, Russia for their war with Ukraine. Instead, he is opposing the general use of force and has been promoting dialogue with the conflicting countries.

But Biden, who has, along with other western countries, imposed sanctions on Russia, will be putting the matter on the table for Ramaphosa.

Biden is expected to put pressure on Ramaphosa as they will discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine, according to a US official, Reuters reported.

“The goal is to have a conversation about the conflict in Ukraine: how we got there, and how we get out of it, and in hearing from President Ramaphosa about his thoughts on the best way forward, sharing ours on how to manage the conflict and to reach a conclusion,” said a senior Biden administration official.

SOUTH AFRICA’S STANCE ON RUSSIA AND UKRAINE CONFLICT

In March, Ramaphosa had blamed NATO’s expansion in the east for the instability and said such conflict should be solved through the United Nations’ mediated negotiations rather than Western-led sanctions. These sanctions hurt other countries, he said.

International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor is also in the US. She met with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday. Asked about her stance on Russia, Pandor evaded giving a direct answer. Instead, she said:

“Business-to-business relationships between the United States and South Africa need to be strong… As to whether I should make a Secretary of State happy or like me, that is less important,” eNCA reported.

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