International relations expert Prof Jan Venter from North-West University said SA, by abstaining, was trying not to offend Russia or the West.
Minister of International Relations and Coorperation Naledi Pandor. Picture; Gallo Images/Sydney Seshibedi
She also lashed out at UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres for his absence during this global crisis. She said South Africa’s abstention was based on its opposition to the use of the UN as a weapon of war, rather than for the advancement of peace in the world. “South Africa is really trying not to offend America or the Western world and it’s really trying not to offend the Eastern world. That is why we are trying to be as constructive as possible and that’s the reason for our neutrality at the UN,” Venter said.with Russia as they are both members of the Brics alliance and because of the military training that the former Soviet Union gave to members of the ANC to fight against apartheid.
She said South Africa had called for an end to the war and for the beginning of genuine negotiations. There had been a breach of trust and both Ukraine and Russia felt insecure and, to some degree, Ukrainian citizens were the “victims of a breach of trust”.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine crisis: Ukraine seeks ‘ruinous’ sanctions on Russia as its forces pound east and southLVIV, Ukraine, April 7 (Reuters) - Ukraine renewed a call on Thursday for financial sanctions crippling enough to force Moscow to end the war and its officials rushed to evacuate civilians from cities and towns in the east and south pounded by Russian artillery and missiles.
Read more »
Ukraine crisis: Ukraine says Russia deliberately struck railway station used by evacueesLVIV, Ukraine, April 8 (Reuters) - At least 39 people were killed and 87 wounded in a Russian rocket strike on a railway station packed with women, children and elderly trying to flee fighting in east Ukraine early on Friday, Ukrainian officials said.
Read more »
Biden calls Ramaphosa after SA abstains again in UN vote on Russia-Ukraine | News24US President Joe Biden called President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday after South Africa abstained from voting in the United Nations General Assembly on the resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council. | QaanitahHunter TebogoMonama
Read more »
Ukraine latest: SA sits out ANOTHER UN vote on RussiaUkraine latest: SA sits out ANOTHER UN vote on Russia South Africa was one of 58 countries which abstained from voting to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council
Read more »
China and India condemned the Bucha killings in Ukraine but avoided blaming Russia | BusinessinsiderDenouncing the Bucha killings while refusing to assign blame to Russia signifies that neither country is willing to substantially change their positions on the war.
Read more »