South Africa Announces , Joint Navy Drills With , China and Russia.<br />On January 19, South African armed forces <br />announced that Russian and Chinese Navies will <br />participate in “a multinational maritime exercise.”.<br />The massive military drills <br />will take place from February 17 <br />to February 27 off South Africa's east coast. .<br />ABC News reports that the announcement <br />signifies strengthening relationships between <br />China, Russia and Africa's most developed nation.<br />The news also comes amid <br />global financial uncertainty and <br />Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.<br />ABC News reports that the drills will take place <br />almost one year after Russia launched <br />its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.<br />The news also comes just days before Russian Foreign <br />Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to hold talks <br />with his South African counterpart, Naledi Pandor.<br />The news also comes just days before Russian Foreign <br />Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to hold talks <br />with his South African counterpart, Naledi Pandor.<br />Last year, the South African government <br />announced a neutral stance over Ukraine <br />while calling for dialogue and diplomacy.<br />However, ABC News reports that the upcoming military <br />drills have given rise to accusations that the <br />government has officially sided with Russia.<br />According to the South African National <br />Defense Force, the upcoming naval exercises will , “strengthen the already flourishing relations <br />between South Africa, Russia and China.”
