As the war in Ukraine continues and Brussels proposed, on Wednesday May 4, to extend European sanctions against Russia, how are Russia’s economic allies positioned within the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) ? Direction South Africa and India.
South Africa dreams of mediating the conflict
On the side of South Africa, like other African countries, the ruling party ANC (African National Congress) has decided to remain cautiously neutral vis-à-vis the war in Ukraine and its partner Bricks. Since the beginning of the invasion, the South African government has defended its choice of non-alignment and has always abstained during the sanctions votes before the UN. While at the very beginning of the war, the party groped around the position to adopt, now the line is clear, and followed by the whole of the government: neutrality is in order, and the terms of “mediation” and of “dialogue” are hammered home to explain abstention at the UN. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Naledi Pandor, we must stop placing Moscow “on the margins of international institutions”otherwise its “level of impunity” will be strengthened. A strategy of “quiet diplomacy” which is part of the country’s tradition, not to mention that the ANC maintains historical links with Russia, from the time of the fight against the apartheid regime. For his part, President Cyril Ramaphosa dreams of mediating, having already exchanged by telephone with the two camps, and takes the opportunity to criticize NATO, a speech which is not to displease his allies of the Brics.
From there, each has positioned itself on the South African political scene, to take radically different directions. On the one hand, on the right, the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, took the opportunity to position itself as a defender of the Ukrainian cause. Its boss, John Steenhuisen, was also on site last week to observe the consequences of the war. On his social networks, he can be seen meeting the mayors of Lviv and kyiv, and condemning the lack of involvement of the ANC. In contrast, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has clearly taken a stand for Moscow. The vice-president of this radical left formation Floyd Shivambu considers that there is no “nothing bad” in the actions of Vladimir Putin, who is fighting, according to him, against “the imperialist expansion of NATO.”
In India, the choice of neutrality for low-cost oil
India has not condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine, and has abstained from all votes on the subject at the UN. A position that has irritated Western capitals, especially since New Delhi is taking the opportunity to buy Russian oil at low prices. India explains its position with several arguments. First there are the practical arguments: more than 80% of the Indian military equipment used today is of Russian origin. New Delhi needs the spare parts, and therefore cannot afford to enter into a diplomatic conflict with Moscow, especially at a time when India is under attack from the Chinese army along their disputed border. Russia has also been a staunch diplomatic ally of India, far more consistent than the United States, so New Delhi is not going to sever those ties easily. However, the Indian government has condemned the atrocities committed in Butcha, Ukraine, and supported an international investigation into the matter. And New Delhi claims the cessation of hostilities, without however mentioning the direct responsibility of Russia.
This position of neutrality allows India to buy Russian oil at a reduced price. New Delhi indeed claims to have no obligation to follow the unilateral embargo imposed by certain European and American countries, and above all, India is the third largest consumer of oil in the world, most of which is imported, and the population is suffering inflation caused by the rise in current prices. New Delhi has therefore greatly increased its purchases of Russian oil, offered at a reduced price. In April, India became the largest importer of oil from the Urals, accounting for a quarter of purchases. However, these transactions are complicated: they cannot be made in dollars because of American sanctions, which requires the establishment of a new exchange system in rubles and Indian rupees.