The South African Army Commander, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, held talks with Russian officials on Tuesday during his visit to Moscow. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation between their ground forces.
This marked Mbatha’s second official visit to Russia. He was part of a military delegation that, following discussions in the capital, will also tour military academies and defense enterprises, as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry.
Strengthening Military Cooperation
“The parties discussed joint projects within the General Staff of the Russian Army aimed at enhancing the combat readiness of both nations’ armies,” the Russian ministry’s statement said. As a result of the negotiations, the parties agreed to further bolster cooperation between their ground forces across various domains.
South Africa aims to maintain a non-aligned stance regarding the war in Ukraine, while fostering close ties with Moscow as a member of the BRICS group of nations.
Prior to his discussions with the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces of Russia, Colonel General Alexander Matovnikov, Mbatha laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow.
Matovnikov expressed gratitude to the political and military leadership of South Africa for what he described as a “firm position” regarding Russia and a shared vision of a multipolar world.
Source: The Straits Times
