The war in Ukraine appears to have been at the top of the agenda during President Cyril Ramaphosa and German Chencellor Olaf Scholz’s meeting on Tuesday, with Scholz accepting Ramaphosa’s explanation about why SA decided to abstain during the UN General Assembly vote.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday, Ramaphosa was asked if SA had changed its position and why it was not supporting sanctions against Russia.
Ramaphosa said: “Chancellor Scholz and I had a few good minutes in our tête-à-tête and we talked about a number of issues, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. I was quiet heartened by the explanation he gave with regards to the stance Germany has taken.”
Ramaphosa said Scholz understands the positions taken by other countries.