President Cyril Ramaphosa Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during the official welcoming ceremony for the heads of state and government of states participating in the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi on 23 October 2019. Photo: AFP/Sergei CHIRIKOV

‘Don’t blame Russia, blame NATO’ – Ramaphosa slams western powers

President Ramaphosa insists there are ‘two sides’ to this story – and he believes that NATO, rather than Russia, must be held accountable.

President Cyril Ramaphosa Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during the official welcoming ceremony for the heads of state and government of states participating in the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi on 23 October 2019. Photo: AFP/Sergei CHIRIKOV

Cyril Ramaphosa has once again attempted to justify South Africa’s controversial stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine – and he argues that NATO forces ‘failed to heed the warnings’ about their expansion in Europe.

Ramaphosa, Russia, and ruffled feathers

President Ramaphosa, who also confirmed he’d spoke with his counterpart in Russia Vladimir Putin this week, believes South Africa can remain neutral in this conflict – acting as a mediator between the two warring states. Cyril was under the grill while facing a set of Parliamentary questions this afternoon.

However, this passive diplomacy has ruffled feathers at both a domestic and global level. The ANC has deep, historical ties with Russia, which were forged during the cruel regime of apartheid. Nevertheless, Mzansi’s failure to condemn what many see as an obvious ‘violation of international law’ has left a bitter taste elsewhere.

SA President blames NATO for causing conflict

Ramaphosa, though, remains resolute in his views: The head of state is adamant that NATO’s attempts to gain a bigger foothold in Eastern Europe is also responsible for causing this bloodshed. His censure of Russia’s use of force was much meeker, however, as Cyril tried to occupy the fence as best he could.

“The war could have been avoided if NATO had heeded the warnings from among its own leaders and officials over the years that its eastward expansion would lead to greater instability in the region.”

“It is important to understand and articulate the causes of the conflict, and advocate for peace building measures, we cannot condone the use of force or violation of international law.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa, Parliamentary Q&A on Thursday 17 March
  • Ramaphosa’s response was also shared on his Twitter page