Fighting with history

Russia – South Africa: To counter Moscow, Kyiv gives Pretoria a history lesson

By Romain Chanson

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Posted on April 25, 2023 10:47

Demonstrators from the Ukrainian Association of South Africa protest on 18 February 2023 at Umhlanga beach, Durban, against its joint military exercise with Russia and China. © Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP

Hoping to counterbalance Russia’s narrative about its invasion of Ukraine, a small delegation from Ukrainian civil society is spending the week in South Africa.

Whenever South Africa is asked to explain why it does not condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it puts forward the argument that Moscow supported the African National Congress’ (ANC) fight against apartheid. After being in power for nearly 30 years, the ANC continues to express its gratitude by claiming neutrality.

However, Ukrainians feel this explanation is biased and incomplete, and illustrates how history has been distorted.

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