South Africa sees Russia as a valued ally, President Cyril Ramaphosa said at a bilateral meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, on the eve of the BRICS summit of emerging economies that will take place in the Russian city of Kazan.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has told his counterpart, Russian President Vladimir Putin, that he will use the XVI BRICS Summit to brief him and other world leaders on the decision to establish a government of national unity.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said his party distances itself from recent comments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa during engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Ramaphosa described Russia as “a valuable ally and friend”.

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday he considered Moscow a “valued ally” and friend during talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan. Alliance of nations Leaders from two dozen countries are expected to visit Russia for the three-day gathering,

Even though South Africa and Russia don't share cultural or linguistic ties, their relationship remains surprisingly strong, a bond that has left many observers and Western governments puzzled for years.