Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: South Africa, which is set to hold military drills with Russia and China next month, defended the event with the country’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor condemning the double-standard that some countries can undertake such exercises but others cannot.
At a press meet with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Pretoria, Dr Pandor stated that with friends globally all countries stage military exercises.
Outside the event’s venue, a small group of demonstrators waved Ukrainian flags.
Dr Pandor slammed the hint that claimed South Africa could not hold these drill as the abuse of international practice.
She termed the exercises as a natural set of action between the three countries.
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As the drills coincide with the first anniversary of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, there have been murmurs that these exercises are inappropriate.
Russian warship with hypersonic missiles to take part in the drills
Details regarding the drills are not forthcoming, however, Tass news agency has stated in reports that a Russia warship carrying hypersonic cruise missile will be part of the event.
South Africa’s defense ministry also defended the planned military drills, reminding that, in the past, South Africa had hosted such exercises with France, US and NATO member states.
These exercises will last for 10 days from 17 to 27 February off South Africa’s coast near the cities of Durban and Richard’s Bay.
At the press conference, Lavrov said that he appreciated South Africa’s considerate and well-balanced approach regarding the Ukrainian conflict.
