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Some Russians living in SA say they don’t support Putin’s invasion in Ukraine

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As the war continues in Ukraine, some Russians living in South Africa say they don’t support President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of that country.

They have picketed at the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, north of Johannesburg.

A number of demonstrations have been held across the world to denounce the war.

A group of Russians living in South Africa says no to war in Ukraine. They have appealed to President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops in the neighbouring country.

Russians are joined by the citizens from the Baltic states and they say the war in Ukraine will have far-reaching implications even in their countries.

South African ambassador to Ukraine, Andre Groenewald, says he hopes reports of racial discrimination at the borders which civilians are passing through to seek refuge in neighbouring countries are untrue as the main focus is on the humanitarian crisis.

This comes as thousands flee Ukraine as Russian troops intensify their attacks on Ukraine.

There are about 200 South Africans, including students, stuck in Ukraine. They have been advised to flee to Poland.

Groenewald has conceded that the situation is difficult.

“At the borders, the situation is really tough, of course, everybody is trying to do the best they can. We also heard some reports and we have been assured by the Ukrainian government that this is categorically not the case. Most of the issues at the borders are just because of the large number of people and they are trying to help the most vulnerable and in some cases that include Ukranian women and children and women and children in general but these kinds of rumours are spreading and hopefully, they are not true but we will see today. For us now, it is to deal with the humanitarian crisis.”

Groenewald says South Africa as a responsible member of the international community and as a country with a proud history of peace operations would assist to find a solution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis if it were given that mandate.

“We are not in the European region. We do not have the mandate to be a the forefront of anything here but we are always ready to assist. We are also here participating at the United Nations so we are always ready to be called upon. But like I said, this is outside our area, it is not for us now to say that we want to be involved and be in the forefront of anything but we are ready to assist and ready to contribute to any peaceful solution.”

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