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

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Russian Presidency (Kremlin) released a statement indicating that “Given the South African side’s interest in facilitating the search for ways to resolve the Ukrainian crisis peacefully, President Putin outlined Russia’s fundamental position on the need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and ensure Russia’s security interests.”