Follow live the latest news about the war in Ukraine
24 Feb. () –
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed this Friday its “deep disappointment” with South Africa for participating together with Russia in a series of naval exercises, which it has described as “cynical” for being carried out on the dates on which the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
In the exercises, which China has also joined, ships carrying “the same missiles” that Russia uses “to kill civilians, destroy critical infrastructure in Ukrainian cities and towns” and commit “war crimes and crimes against humanity” participate. “, foreign complaint.
“We are deeply disappointed that at a time when the international community condemns Russian aggression, particularly from African countries, and strengthens Russia’s isolation to end the war, the South African authorities are embracing the experience of the war machine. Russian,” protested Ukrainian Foreign Affairs spokesman Oleg Nikolenko.
“The height of cynicism lies in the fact that the maneuvers begin around February 24, the day on which, a year ago, Russia unleashed a war unknown in Europe since World War II,” Nikolenko continues to claim.
In this sense, the Foreign Affairs statement ends with an appeal to South Africa not only to stop encouraging “more Russian aggression and its sense of impunity”, but also to defend “the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter “.