/RUSSIA: Lavrov Arrives In South Africa, Presser Expected Later This Morning

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has arrived in South Africa for bilateral talks with his local counterpart Naledi Pandor ahead of the controversial trilateral naval drills with China scheduled to begin in mid-February.

• South Africa's decision to host Lavrov and hold military exercises with Russia despite the ongoing invasion of Ukraine has come under criticism in the West. In response, South African officials have insisted that the country would remain impartial.
• Earlier this morning, South Africa's Defence Ministry emphasised the nation's "right to conduct its foreign relations in line with its own diplomatic relations and national interests," stressing that joint military drills with Western countries did not attract such "hype."
• The upcoming naval exercises will be held near the seaport of Durban and Richards Bay from February 17 to 27. Russia's state agency TASS reported that they will involve a Russian warship armed with hypersonic Zircon missiles.
• Sergei Lavrov is expected to hold a joint press conference with Naledi Pandor at 10:00GMT/12:00SAST.