International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor says South Africa is extremely concerned about the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Pandor says if the situation is allowed to further deteriorate it could have regional and global implications.
Russia has been slapped with a raft of sanctions by the West for declaring independence to separatist states in the Eastern parts of Ukraine.
South Africa’s top diplomat has called on the UN Security Council to play a central role to resolve the standoff between Russia and Ukraine.
“The UNSC is the body given the mandate for the maintenance of international peace & security and it must exercise its role fully. As South Africa, we believe all the issues of concern to any of the parties must be addressed in inclusive talks led by the UNSG,” says Pandor in a statement.
Minister Pandor says all parties have much to gain from a negotiated outcome and much to lose from violent conflict.
“The world does not need another war as that will result in death and destruction, hence our call for enhanced diplomacy.”
South Africa has been calling for calm:
Russia insists Ukraine must not join North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), the defence alliance as its security will be threatened.
