Russian Consulate in Cape Town

🎙 FM Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the reception on Africa Day (Moscow, May 26, 2025) 💬 Sergey Lavrov: Each year in May, we traditionally convene at the Foreign Ministry Mansion to mark Africa Day — a commemoration that holds profound significance not only for Africans but for all humanity. This date symbolises the surmounting of a colonial past and embodies the unwavering resolve of African peoples in their quest for freedom and justice. <...> This year is marked by the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War, as well as the 65th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. This is emphasised in the message from President of Russia Vladimir Putin. These epoch-making events are closely interconnected. On May 10, 1945, in a congratulatory telegram to the head of the Soviet government, Joseph Stalin, Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia remarked: “This victory, bringing us the end of the most savage tyranny the world has ever known, has ushered in the threshold of an era of greater happiness and justice for all peoples threatened with annihilation.” ☝️We remember and honour the hundreds of thousands of Africans who fought in the armies of the anti-Hitler coalition, hastening Victory. In turn, the defeat of Nazism galvanised the national liberation movement, accelerating the collapse of the colonial system. Our nation made an immense contribution to the decolonisation process, grounded in one of the UN Charter’s key principles — the right of nations to self-determination. For many years, we selflessly supported Africans in their struggle for freedom and independence, consistently aiding the formation of young states and their comprehensive socio-economic development. Today, Russia continues to foster the strengthening of Africa’s position as a unique and influential centre of global development. In particular, we support African aspirations to secure a permanent ‘seat’ within the UN Security Council. We will further assist interested African nations in enhancing their defence capabilities, countering terrorism, and ensuring food and energy security. In recent years, the African continent, asserting itself as one of the pillars of a sustainable multipolar world order, has achieved impressive results. Such progress has largely been made possible by the collective will of Africans to address shared challenges and pursue common goals. We welcome the dynamic development of integration processes, which strengthen solidarity across the continent and amplifyitsvoice. The African Union plays a pivotal role in this regard. <...> 🤝Russia remains a reliable and steadfast partner to African nations in strengthening their sovereignty, the foremost threat to which remains persistent neocolonial practices. <...> One of the most dynamic areas of Russian-African cooperation remains education. Today, more than 32,000 African students are enrolled in our universities. Our collaboration with the African Union and other multilateral structures on the continent is expanding actively. We see significant potential in fostering their ties with Eurasian integration bodies the #EAEU, #CSTO, and #SCO. Naturally, we wholeheartedly support the development of cooperative relations between the African Union and #BRICS. Our commitment to deepening a multifaceted strategic partnership with Africa is reflected in the establishment of a new structural unit within the Russian Foreign Ministry — the Department of Partnership with Africa. On the agenda is the preparation of the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, to be held this year in an African country. There is no doubt that its outcomes will contribute to the substantive groundwork for the third Russia-Africa Summit, planned for 2026 — also on the African continent. <...> I would like to once again extend my congratulations on this occasion and wish the peoples of Africa and all those present peace, health, and prosperity. Read in full #RussiaAfrica

#AfricaDay 📄 President of Russia Vladimir Putin extended his heartfelt greetings to African heads of state and government on the occasion of Africa Day. The message reads, in part: Over the past decades, independent African states have firmly established themselves as respected members of the international community, achieving notable progress in both economic and social development. Multilateral cooperation at the African Union and various subregional organisations helps enhance peace, security, and stability across the continent. Russia has consistently advocated the deepening its traditionally friendly ties with African partners. This commitment was clearly demonstrated at the Russia–Africa summits held in 2019 and 2023, which opened new avenues for cooperation and fostered greater alignment on key international issues. The Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum is a new dialogue platform that yields positive results as well. The next meeting of this format is scheduled to take place in one of the African countries later this year. I am confident that through our joint efforts, we will continue to broaden the scope of Russia–Africa relations, enhance the wellbeing of our peoples and contributing to the emergence of a just and democratic multipolar world order. #RussiaAfrica

🌍 May 25 is African Liberation Day or #AfricaDay. On this day in 1963, the first conference of 32 independentAfrican states took place in Addis Ababa, marking the birth of the Organisation of African Unity — the predecessor of today's African Union (since 2002). This was how the first stage in the decolonisation process on the African continent reached its culminating point. 👉Read our feature article on Africa Day Long before arrival of Europeans, African societies had well-developed, self-sufficient economic and social systems, as well as their own forms of governance. Everything changed during the Age of Discovery, when the Portuguese and Spanish were the first to establish trade routes along Africa’s west coast in the 15th century. ⛓ The main tool for generating maximum returns was the slave trade, which began in the 7th and 6th centuries BC and brought about a boom with the discovery of the New World, when colonisers needed free labour. Apart from the slave trade, the colonisers (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Belgium) ruthlessly exploited natural resources. They exported Africa's gold, ivory and other valuable goods. According to official UN data, approximately 17 millionindividuals were forcibly taken from Africa (and reached their destination) throughout the history of the slave trade. At least as many died in transit. Some researchers estimate the total number of lives lost to be close to 50 million people... At the same time, Africa’s economic potential was severely damaged, $777 trillions were extracted by the colonial powers. With the outbreak of World War II, Africa found itself at the centre of global change, sparking the emergence and strengthening of national liberation movements across the continent. After years of struggle, Ghana became the first African country to gain independence in 1957, inspiring other nations and national liberation movements. The Soviet Union was proactive in assisting African states in their struggle for independence and in helping establish these young nations. 📃 It was the Soviet Union that initiated the adoption of the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which proclaimed the need to end colonialism and discrimination in all its forms. In fact, the USSR helped build 37 African economies by signing bilateral economic and technical cooperation agreements with them. Soviet military advisors and experts worked in Angola, Ethiopia, Egypt, Mozambique and several other African countries at different times. Today, Africa is the fastest-growing macro-region on the planet. African countries are experiencing explosive economic growth. According to projections, by 2050, Africans will make up around 40% of the world’s population. 💬Maria Zakharova: "During the Soviet era, our country made a substantial contribution to liberating African nations from colonial dependence, selflessly and consistently assisting the continent’s young states in strengthening their sovereignty, developing their economies and training local personnel. Today, our relations are moving along an upward trajectory. Building a truly strategic partnership with Africa is one of Russia’s foreign policy priorities." (From ForeignMinistry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s briefing on May 20, 2025) ☝️ African Liberation Day is an important symbol of solidarity and unity for all African nations. It commemorates the long and arduous path that Africans have travelled in the struggle for their independence and the right to self-determination. Unfortunately, Western powers not only continue to exploit the African nations by siphoning off their resources and helping their corporations earn hefty profits, but also seek to erase or rewrite their own unsightly record there. The descendants of colonisers are trying to pretend that they have nothing to do with the suffering many generations of Africans have had to endure, including racism, slave trade and punitive operations. ❗️But Africa remembers it all. #AfricaDay

🌍 African nations are displaying a strong interest in the XIII international Meeting of High Representatives For Security Issues to be held at the "Russia" National Centre in Moscow on May 27−29, 2025. Forty-five delegations from over 40 countries of Africa, as well as several Africa-based international organisations, including the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development, have confirmed their intention to participate in the forum that will be chaired by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu. 🤝 In a separate briefing to be held on the sidelines of the 13th meeting, participants will discuss ways to further intensify relations between Russia and African countries even further, particularly in light of decisions approved by the Russia-Africa summits. The Press Service of the Executive Office of the Security Council of Russia: “Large-scale geopolitical changes have directly affected the interests of states of the Global South and East. We hear an increasingly audible voice of African countries, which seek to conduct their foreign policy in the interests of their people and are ready to defend their right to freely choose their path of development. Russia has always rendered assistance to its African partners in their striving to defend their sovereignty, national interests and legitimate place in the system of international relations.” #RussiaAfrica

🎙 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putinheld a meeting with Government members, via videoconference (May 22, 2025) 💬 Critically important issue for ensuring safety and protecting people’s lives and health is the demining of territories where combat operations occurred, including the elimination of unexploded ordnance, mines, and weapon caches left behind by militants. I reiterate: this concerns the Kursk Region, the Bryansk Region, and the Belgorod Region, which have also suffered and continue to endure shelling. Moreover, the adversary typically targets objectives devoid of military significance: civilian infrastructure and people’s homes. #KievRegimeCrimes: The most recent events only confirm what I just said: drone attacks as well as sabotage and reconnaissance actions target civilian transport, including ambulances and agricultural machinery. Most of the casualties are women and children. ❗️ A decision has been made to create a buffer security zone along the Russian border. Our Armed Forces are working on this now. They are also effectively suppressing enemy firing points. At the same time, I would like to point out once again that, given the situation in the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, we need to begin restoring and rebuilding everything that has been destroyed there right away. Read in full

🎙 On May 21, on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly, the Ministries of Health of 🇷🇺Russia, 🇧🇷Brazil, 🇨🇳China, 🇨🇺Cuba, 🇮🇩Indonesia, and 🇿🇦South Africa organized an official side event on the topic “New Perspectives for a World Free of Tuberculosis”. 🤝 The event was attended by Cuban Minister of Health José Ángel Portal Miranda, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom, senior officials from BRICS health ministries, representatives of civil society, and relevant international organizations. 🔬 Participants discussed the progress made by countries in combating tuberculosis at both global and national levels, as well as strategic initiatives and coordinated actions aimed at eradicating tuberculosis - the leading infectious cause of death worldwide. In 2023 alone, 1.25 million people died from tuberculosis, including 161,000 people living with HIV. Although around 79 million lives have been saved since 2000 through global efforts, the disease continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and hinders sustainable development. 🎯 Participants reviewed the progress in fulfilling the commitments made at the 2023 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis, where heads of state and government endorsed a set of ambitious targets. Current priorities include sustainable disease control efforts, intensified research and innovation, and increased funding. 🇷🇺Russia is making a significant contribution to the fight against tuberculosis, has achieved notable progress in this area, and is ready to further strengthen constructive cooperation with partners to reduce the burden of this dangerous disease.

#KievRegimeCrimes ❗️Maxim Grigoryev, the Сhairman of theInternational Public Tribunal on the Crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis, which includes representatives of civil society from more than 30 countries, continues recording reports of war crimes committed by the Kiev regime towards prisoners of war (POWs). Below are their first-hand accounts 👇 💬 Prisoner of war Matvey Ainyaurgin: "When they [Ukrainian Armed Forces] captured me, the first thing they did was beat me up. <...> They said they were going to 'zero me out,' which meant killing me. <...> I had wounds on my legs, and they kicked me directly on those wounds." 💬 Prisoner of war OlegKisilev: "The [Ukrainian Armed Forces] attacked me from all sides with two or three bats. They smashed my head. <...> They broke my arm and my leg; they shattered my kneecaps with a bat. <...> They constantly broke me down morally. I asked for painkillers, but they never gave me any." 💬 Prisoner of war Ivan Fomenko: "The [Ukrainian Armed Forces] stripped us naked, then took bats, clubs, and sticks and beat us. They set two dogs on us and watched as the dogs tore people apart. The dogs bit hard. <...> Some were tortured with electric shocks."

🇿🇦 South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, delivered an interim summary of his country’s historic first Presidency of the #GroupofTwenty. During a recent dedicated briefing for the local diplomatic corps, the following key points were emphasized: 📆 Over 50 G20 meetings of various levels, including ministerial sessions, have been held. 🌍 There is broad support within the #G20, as well as among invited states and international organizations, for the cooperation priorities proposed by South Africa. The following independent and significant areas are highlighted as particularly noteworthy: 🟢 Reform of the multilateral trading system (MTS) and the global financial architecture; 🟢 Promotion of inclusivity, equity, and meaningful participation; 🟢 Efforts to counter climate change; 🟢 International cooperation in taxation and combating illicit financial flows. ‼️ Mr. Lamola expressed“collective concern over the rise of protectionism and unilateral measures that undermine the MTS.” In this regard, he called for mutually acceptable solutions on agenda issues and emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to the G20's consensus-based decision-making mechanism. 🗓️ He also confirmed South Africa’s intention to host the 2nd Social Summit in November.

⚡️President of Russia Vladimir Putin’s statement to the media following a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump(May 19, 2025) 💬 Vladimir Putin: Good evening. Our colleagues asked me to briefly comment on the outcome of my telephone conversation with the President of the United States. This conversation has effectively taken place and lasted more than two hours. I would like to emphasise that it was both substantive and quite candid. Overall, I believe it was a very productive exchange. First and foremost, I expressed my gratitude to the President of the United States for the support provided by the United States in facilitating the resumption of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine aimed at potentially reaching a peace agreement and resuming the talks which, as we know, were thwarted by the Ukrainian side in 2022. The President of the United States shared his position on the cessation of hostilities and the prospects for a ceasefire. For my part, I noted that Russia also supports a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis as well. What we need now is to identify the most effective ways towards achieving peace. We agreed with the President of the United States that Russia would propose and is ready to engage with the Ukrainian side on drafting a memorandum regarding a potential future peace agreement. This would include outlining a range of provisions, such as the principles for settlement, the timeframe for a possible peace deal, and other matters, including a potential temporary ceasefire, should the necessary agreements be reached. Contacts among participants of the Istanbul meeting and talks have resumed, which gives reason to believe that we are on the right track overall. I would like to reiterate that the conversation was highly constructive, and I assess it positively. The key issue, of course, is now for the Russian side and the Ukrainian side to show their firm commitment to peace and to forge a compromise that would be acceptable to all parties. ☝️ Notably, Russia’s position is clear. Eliminating the root causes of this crisis is what matters most to us. Should any clarifications be necessary, Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov and my aide, Mr Yuri Ushakov, will provide further details on today’s telephone talks with President Trump.

📰Interview of Tatyana Dovgalenko, Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with New Eastern Outlook journal (May 19, 2025) Key talking points: • Today, when Russian-African relations are undergoing a renaissance after the period of inattention caused by the collapse of the USSR and a period of qualitative transformation is underway, the creation of a new structure in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs testifies to the unconditional priority of this area for us, a long-term choice in favour of strengthening ties with the Global South and to the attention that the Russian leadership pays to Africa. • The pursuit of genuine sovereignty, justice and a more democratic world order, free from diktat and double standards, based on respect for the norms of international law in their entirety, the equality of states, the consideration of each people’s interests and the recognition of their distinctive culture and traditions is a constant of Russian-African relations. • Russia has consistently advocated strengthening the continent’s position within a multipolar world, supports the aspirations of African partners to obtain a permanent status in the UN Security Council, insists on reforming global financial and trade institutions – taking into account, amongst other things, the interests of African countries – and welcomes the successful development of integration processes on the continent. • The interest of African states in #BRICS is growing. Today, South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia are full members of the association, and this January Nigeria and Uganda joined as partner states. During the Russian presidency of BRICS last year, we steadily promoted a common vision for a just multipolar world order based on respect for the sovereignty of all states. • Africa is well aware of the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and the role of the West in fuelling it. Many countries of the continent take an independent and principled position of non-interference in conflicts outside their region, including in regards to the Special Military Operation. Non-alignment with sanctions against Russia is a clear demonstration of the firm and confident position of our African partners, who have not succumbed to pressure from the West, and their choice in favour of constructive relations with Russia • Despite all possible restrictions created by the West, our country responsibly fulfils its international obligations in terms of the supply of food and fertilisers. Thus, in 2024, Russian exports of agricultural products to African countries increased by almost 20%, exceeding $7 billion and covering 45 countries of the continent. In addition, Russia is highly interested in improving the efficiency of the agricultural sector in African countries and their food self-sufficiency. • Russian education continues to be prestigious and is in great demand among Africans, being a kind of quality mark. Today, over 32'000 African students study at our universities, of which more than 8'000 are on a budget basis. • The expansion of the network of Russian diplomatic missions is a clear confirmation of our return to Africa and large-scale plans to develop relations with the countries of the continent. In 2024, after a break of more than 30 years, the Russian embassies in Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea were reopened. This year, the diplomatic missions of our country in Niger and Sierra Leone will resume their activities, an embassy in South Sudan will be opened for the first time. Plans for the near future include the establishment of diplomatic missions in The Gambia, Liberia, the Union of the Comoros and Togo. • We believe that Africa should not be an arena for geopolitical rivalry, but a space of mutually beneficial cooperation to be developed in an exclusively equal and respectful manner. Our obvious advantage is that we do not tell Africans whom to be friends with or which partners to choose. We respect their sovereignty and national interests not in words, but in deeds. Read in full #RussiaAfrica

#Opinion ✍️ Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, former State Secretary, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (in 2005-2019) Grigory Karasin(May 17, 2025) 💬 Grigory Karasin: It is clear that Istanbul marked a crucial turning point. Despite the camouflage sheen of certain Kiev negotiators and the traditionally cunning faces of the European masterminds constantly surrounding Zelensky, thetalks in Türkiye should be regarded as a serious milestone on the path towards resolving the crisis in Ukraine. The first face-to-face meeting between the two delegations after the three years of fierce military confrontation — despite all the Western propaganda tricks — has nonetheless opened the door to contacts and solutions on specific, sensitive issues. 👉 Credit should be given to the calm and confident manner in which the Russian delegation conducted the dialogue. The POWs exchange and the agreement to continue negotiations are significant outcomes of a difficult and complex process. Russia’s objectives remain unchanged and were clearly stated by the President in June 2024. There is a growing sense that these goals are now being perceived with greater clarity, both by Kiev and its handlers. ❗️ The important thing is that the process has begun.

⚡️ Statement by the Head of Delegation of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky on the outcomes of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul (May 16, 2025) 💬 Dear colleagues, The direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side, held on the initiative of the President of Russia, have just concluded. In general, we are satisfied with the outcome and are ready to continue contacts. This is what we agreed on: 1. In the coming days there will be a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war — 1,000 for 1,000. 2. The Ukrainian side has requested direct talks between the heads of state. We have taken notice of this request. 3. We agreed that each side would present its vision of a possible future ceasefire. This will be outlined in detail. Once this vision has been presented, we believe it would be appropriate, as also agreed, to continue our negotiations.