President Cyril Ramaphosa has joined the chorus of world leaders condemning Russia’s ongoing attackson Ukraine, and has called for mediation.

Russia launched an offensive in the early hours of Thursday, 24 February 2022, not long after President Vladimir Putin declared war and vowed to retaliate against anyone intervening in their invasion. Air and missile strikes were launched in cities and military bases in Ukraine before tanks rolled in across the country’s border, following weeks of escalating tensions, as Russia massed troops around Ukraine.

The attacks have claimed at least 137 lives and the Kremlin doesn’t plan on backing down its assault.

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RAMAPHOSA: ‘WE CAN SEE THE WAR GOING ON IN UKRAINE’

Speaking at the the Intergovernmental National Litigation Forum in Pretoria on Friday, 25 February 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa says bemoaned all the tensions and bloodshed caused by Russia when it invaded Ukraine. Ramaphosa says both parties need to engage each other to find a way forward and essentially put an end to the violence.

“We can see the war going on in Ukraine. I would say that conflict should be subjected to mediation, to negotiation, to engagement because it is not necessary for people to go to war and see people killed and infrastructure damaged. It behoves on all countries of the world, particularly the UN Security Council. They are the ones who should be getting more engaged in a mediation process and one does not see that happening. One does not see that full engagement,”

President Cyril Ramaphosa

DIRCO has already reacted to the situation in Ukraine, warning that it would result in further human suffering and destruction. It further called on Russia to withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine.

“As a nation birthed through negotiation, South Africa is always appreciative of the potential dialogue has in averting a crisis and de-escalating conflict. In line with our strong commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflict, South Africa urges all parties to devote increased efforts to diplomacy and to find a solution that will help avert further escalation,” said DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela.