South Africa Hails Friendship With Russia, Amid Ukraine War

South Africa said on Monday it was "friends" with Russia as it hosted Russia's top diplomat for a visit that has sparked criticism against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. A continental powerhouse, South Africa has refused to condemn Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and last week announced it will host joint maritime drills with Russia and China in February. Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor defended the move on Monday as she welcomed her counterpart Sergei Lavrov for talks in Pretoria. "All countries conduct military exercises with friends," Ms Pandor told a press conference after the talks. She thanked Lavrov for the "most wonderful meeting," which she earlier said would have helped "strengthen the already good relations" with what she described as a "valued partner." South Africa recently assumed the chairmanship of the BRICS, a grouping that also includes Brazil, Russia, India, and China, to challenge the dominant…