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Ukraine: Ramaphosa-Putin phone call

Published February 10, 2026, 17:18
Ukraine: Ramaphosa-Putin phone call

The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing his country's support for efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in international forums such as BRICS and G20. In addition, they pledged their support for the process of returning South African citizens fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine. The discussion comes at a time of growing concern over the number of Africans being recruited to fight in Ukraine, with Kyiv having identified at least 1,436 citizens from 36 African countries in Russian forces. South Africa has received requests for assistance from its citizens who claim to have been deceived and sent to the Ukrainian front.