The publication recalled the visit to South Africa of the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, in South Africa. It is also noted that the “homeland of Nelson Mandela” criticized Western sanctions and did not suspend cooperation with Moscow, despite pressure from the United States and the European Union, writes RIA Novosti.
The article says that South Africa has become a geostrategic partner of Moscow within the framework of the BRICS, an alliance that calls into question the hegemony of the West. The countries are also getting closer militarily: joint naval exercises are scheduled for February with the participation of Russia, South Africa and China.
“Dangerous, the West is furious,” writes L’Opinion, explaining that Western countries see this as a threat and “a symbol of the year that has passed since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.” Russia is increasing its influence on the African continent, and what is happening shows that “the West’s attempts to isolate Moscow are ineffective,” the newspaper underlines.
Joint exercises involving the Russian Navy, South African naval forces and Chinese People’s Liberation Army sailors will be held off the coast of South Africa in February. Our country will be represented by the crew of the frigate “Fleet Admiral of the Soviet Union Gorshkov,” the Russian Defense Ministry said earlier. According to South African Minister for Defense and Veterans Affairs, Tandy Modise, participants in the naval exercises will practice fighting pirates and responding to natural disasters.
