JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone discussion on Thursday with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on the peace process with Ukraine.
"President Putin expressed his recognition and appreciation for South Africa's involvement in advancing a peace process between Russia and Ukraine," according to a statement released by the South African Presidency.
Ramaphosa expressed South Africa's "full support to peace initiatives that will end the war and contribute to a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine," the statement said.
The two leaders agreed to further their discussions on "moving forward the strategic relationship between their two countries," the statement added. ■
