Foreign Min Pandor Says Wagner Revolt Won't Affect Engagements With Russia & Ukraine

South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor told her German counterpart Annalena Baerbock that the failed mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner Group "will not affect our intention of continuing to engage with [Russia and Ukraine] as has been agreed by the presidents who were part of the African peace mission."

• Pandor added that the recent peace mission of African leaders was intended to pave the way for a longer process of negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. She added that the Presidents of both Russia and Ukraine agreed to further meetings in the next few weeks.
• Worth noting that African leaders will have the next opportunity to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in person at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will take place in St. Petersburg on July 27-28. The Russian side noted that the war in Ukraine will be discussed during the summit.
• After her meeting with Germany's chief diplomat, Pandor defended South Africa's "non-aligned stance" on the Russo-Ukrainian war and said that this puts the country in a good position to act as a trustworthy mediator. She added that South Africa has not received a response on whether Putin will attend the BRICS summit in August.