By Rorisang Modiba
President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin for winning the recent Russian election.
Last week, Putin obtained 87.8% of the votes, winning his fifth term as president.
In his message to Putin, Ramaphosa said South Africa will keep working with Russia in international bodies such as the UN, Brics, and the G20.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that Ramaphosa concluded his message “by indicating South Africa’s strong belief in the maintenance of international peace and security” and that it would continue to engage both Russia and Ukraine “in search of lasting peace between the two neighbouring countries,” TimesLive reported.
The election took place during an increase in bomb attacks against Ukraine and invasions into Russian territory by pro-Ukraine factions, along with vandalism at polling stations.
At his victory celebration, 71-year-old Putin declared that Russia would not be discouraged and would “move forward”.
Putin got the highest vote tally he has ever had in these elections, but many Western countries said the election was not fair, as opposition activists were not allowed to stand for election.
The US and Ukraine called the election results fake.
Josep Borrell, who leads foreign policy for the EU, mentioned that no neutral observers were allowed to monitor the elections, which came shortly after the death of dissident Alexei Navalny in a Siberian prison.
“This election has been based on repression and intimidation,” said Borrell.
Pictured above: Cyril Ramaphosa and Vladimir Putin.
Image source: X
