Ramaphosa Hails Russia As 'Valued Ally' In Meeting With Putin Ahead Of BRICS Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Russia, calling it a "valued ally," during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in the backdrop of the 16th BRICS Summit.

Ramaphosa, who expressed happiness to be in Kazan, Russia, said the latter has supported South Africa since their fight against Apartheid.

During the meeting, Ramaphosa informed the Russian delegation that since the last BRICS Summit in South Africa in 2023, the country has held elections and established a Government of National Unity, SA News reported.

He explained that the new government was formed after the elections in May, adding that there would be opportunities to discuss how this process of governing South Africa with various partners was developing, focusing on uniting and stabilizing the country.

The president also noted that the South African delegation, comprising ministers Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Ronald Lamola, Parks Tau and Angie Motshekga, was excited to be at the BRICS Summit.

"We would like to congratulate you for...being the President of BRICS having taken over from us. As South Africa we are sure that we will be able to chair our summit so that BRICS and the enlarged BRICS body can continue growing," Ramaphosa said, SA News reported.

"We also do look forward...to the Summit itself, to participate with all other countries under your leadership and deal with matters that are of great importance in geo-political terms and everything that is happening around the world and also, the matters that have to do with trade and climate change [and] with peace and security."

The expanded BRICS now included 43% of the world's population, 32% of the world's land area, about 35% of global GDP, and 20% of world exports. This provided opportunities for cooperation that can support sustainable growth and development in South Africa.

Leaders from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates will meet for the first time since new members were invited to join BRICS at the Johannesburg II BRICS Summit on Aug. 23, 2023.

During the summit, BRICS leaders will discuss the progress of their cooperation, as well as regional and global economic and political developments and the need for reforms in global governance.