MAXIM SHEMETOVPOOL-AFP
The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday rejected President Cyril Ramaphosa's comments about Russia being a "valued ally".
Ramaphosa was in Russia this week for the BRICS summit in Kazan and met with President Vladimir Putin who he called a "friend", words that the DA rejected.
"The Democratic Alliance does not consider Russia, or Vladimir Putin, to be an ally of our Nation," party leader John Steenhuisen said in a statement.
He said that positions expressed on behalf of the government of national unity, a coalition of 10 parties, should be "subject to full and proper debate within the government mechanisms before being announced."
The African National Congress (ANC) which has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid three decades ago lost its majority in May elections, forcing it into a coalition.
The DA, which has long been a critic of the ANC, is now the second-largest party in government and often dissents on foreign policy matters.
Steenhuisen, who was appointed Minister of Agriculture, said the government could not "afford to make statements that could jeopardise international relations and trade opportunities."
"We cannot and will not agree that South Africa should consider an authoritarian regime, that is currently violating international law by waging an imperialist war of aggression against a sovereign state, as an ally," he said.
During a bilateral meeting with Ramaphosa, Putin said Moscow's relations with South Africa were based on "strategic partnership, equality, and mutual respect".
The BRICS summit takes place as the Russian leader seeks to build an alliance of nations aimed at challenging what he calls the West's "hegemony".
South Africa has abstained from UN resolutions condemning Russia's February 2022 military offensive against Ukraine but has called for an end to the conflict, spearheading an African "peace mission" to both countries last year.
© Agence France-Presse
