BRICS SUMMIT /WAR IN UKRAINE: August 21, 2023

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 544

BRICS SUMMIT COVERAGE FROM SOUTH AFRICA

  • In an address to the nation last night ahead of the BRICS Summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country will stick to a non-aligned foreign policy. He added Pretoria is working hard to achieve return of forcibly deported Ukraine children from Russia, the exchange of POWs and the reopening of the Black Sea grain deal. “We firmly believe that dialogue, mediation and diplomacy is the only viable path to end the current conflict and achieve a durable peace” between Ukraine and Russia…We support the principle of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states and peoples.”

  • The most senior BRICS bloc member, China, is helping to arm Russia with helicopters, drones, optical sights and crucial metals, a Daily Telegraph investigation found. If true, it contradicts China's claims of neutrality and promises not to provide either side with weapons. Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in South Africa in a rare post-Covid trip abroad. Officials here said the Chinese leader is here for a state visit to strengthen bilateral ties and for the BRICS Summit running from Tuesday to Thursday.

  • Earlier, Mr Ramaphosa told members of his party that almost 50 heads of state - including China, India and Brazil - will be attending the summit. However Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t be participating in person: “He is going to be here in spirit and on the screen as well. Of course he is very busy”

  • On South Africa’s position on the war in Ukraine, Mr. Ramaphosa said: “Many in the world are trying to box us into a corner,  where we are aligned to them, and we have chosen a path of non-alignment. We are non-aligned, but… at the same time, we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace. We are peace promoters in the world.”

  • At the BRICS Business Council trade show the Russian Federation has a modest-sized exhibit (uncharacteristically out of sync with the egos of its leaders) promoting…well not very much to be honest. We spotted some pamphlets on technology and research.

  • President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Aug. 20 that Ukraine would receive 42 US-made F-16 fighter jets. They will be transferred from Denmark and the Netherlands. For its part, Denmark said it plans to supply Ukraine with the first batch of six F-16 fighter jets out of 19 promised before the New Year, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced during a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Aug. 20 at the Skrydstrup airbase.

  • Two major Moscow airports temporarily suspended flight arrivals and departures on August 21 following claims by the Defense Ministry that a Ukrainian drone had been shot down over the Moscow region - RFE/RL

  • Crimea is facing a shortage of gasoline after Ukraine bombed the only bridge last month connecting the Russian-controlled peninsula to Russia.

Michael BociurkiwComment