Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in a phone call Monday with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa. The two leaders also discussed issues of mutual interest.

According to Qatar News Agency, a statement by the Russian Presidency (the Kremlin) indicated that, given the South African side’s interest in facilitating ways for a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian crisis, President Putin outlined Russia’s fundamental position on the need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and ensure Russia’s security interests.