South Africa is not going to be bullied into taking sides in Ukraine-Russia conflict, says minister Naledi Pandor

South Africa wouldn’t be bullied if sure international locations mount strain into taking sides within the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor stated. Attempts to bully international locations into taking sides within the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict is unacceptable, Naledi Pandor stated.

The minister was referring to taking sides between Russia, China and the West within the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The US has been pursuing to isolate China in African international locations. Relations between South Africa and the US have been strained after the previous remained impartial over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Naledi Pandor stated she was glad that Blinken had confirmed that the US had not requested South Africa to decide on sides (between Russia and Ukraine). However, she stated that her authorities had skilled strain from sure international locations in Europe to align with their coverage on Ukraine.

On Monday, Naledi Pandor hosted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who’s on a three-nation Africa tour.

‘SENSE OF PATRONIZING BULLYING’

“I’m glad that Secretary Blinken has confirmed that America just isn’t asking us to decide on. I don’t recall any try by the United States to try this. But when it comes to our interplay with a few of our companions in Europe and elsewhere, there was a way of patronizing bullying towards “you choose this or else,”Naledi Pandor said.

ALSO READ| China one of the freest societies in the world: Video of Nancy Pelosi’s gaffe goes viral

The South African minister also criticised a US bill, which she says could penalise African countries for not towing the line on the Ukraine conflict, known as the “Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act.”

“The recent legislation passed in the United States of America by the House of Representatives, we found a most unfortunate bill that we had hoped the media would say more about. Because when we believe in freedom as I’m saying, it’s freedom for everybody you can’t say because Africa is doing this, you will then be punished by the United States. So that’s been a disappointing passage of legislation by one House, and we hope the other house will not agree to such offensive legislation,” the minister stated.

‘RUSSIA, A NEGLIGIBLE ECONOMIC PARTNER’

The minister stated it was essential for all to respect totally different opinions held by totally different nations.

“We are after all, sovereign nations that are recognised as equal in terms of the UN Charter. We may differ in terms of economic power and economic ability to influence developments in different parts of the world, but what will make the world work is if we respect each other.” “One thing I definitely dislike is being told: ‘You choose this or else!”, Pandor reaffirmed.

ALSO READ| Ukraine accuses Russia of utilizing nuclear plant for lethal rocket assault

The minister stated Russia was a ‘very negligible’ financial accomplice for South Africa.

“Our trade with Russia is less than four billion dollars annually, compared to the USD 20 billion with the US. So, this fear that we exist under some putsch is a totally an unfounded belief of the relationship that we have with either country,” Pandor asserted.

“We have been quite clear in saying that we advocate for peace because we knew what would happen. We knew that there would be destruction, death and desolation; and that is what we are all seeing. Let us make every effort to get peace,” Pandor stated.

— ENDS —