By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is headed to Russia this week to attend the Africa Summit, his second visit in just over a month.
The summit is set to take place on Thursday and Friday.
Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The Presidency says the summit aims to strengthen relations between Russia and the African continent in various sectors such as politics, security, trade, IT, humanitarian support, education and the environment.
“The summit background will also offer an opportunity to African Heads of State who are part of the African Leaders Peace Mission to continue talks with President Putin on the confidence-building measures that will create conducive conditions for a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine,” read the statement.
“South Africa will use the summit backdrop to further engage Russia at a bilateral level to finalise the contents and substance of the upcoming BRICS summit.”
Ramaphosa last week confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS summit in South Africa in August.
South Africa is set to host the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China at the summit from 22 to 24 August.