Ramaphosa defends decision to abstain from a UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA|

IN a world where far too many disputes between and within countries are settled through the barrel of a gun, the view that differences are best resolved through negotiation, dialogue and compromise may seem out of touch, and even fanciful. 

And yet, as a country that attained democracy through a negotiated settlement, we remain steadfast in our conviction that achieving world peace through negotiation, and not force of arms, is indeed attainable. 

This is a principle on which we have been consistent since the advent of our democracy, and which remains an important part of our foreign policy orientation. 

South Africa abstained from voting in last week’s United Nations resolution on the escalating conflict between Russia and its neighbour Ukraine because the resolution did not foreground the call for meaningful  engagement.

Even prior to the resolution being passed at the UN last week, talks between Russian and Ukrainian