South African Army Chief Denies Involvement in US-Russia Weapons Controversy During Moscow Visit

The commander of South Africa's ground forces, Lieutenant-General Lawrence Mbatha, visited Moscow for talks with Russian counterparts, following US allegations that weapons were loaded onto a Russian ship in Cape Town in December. The South African National Defence Force said the meeting was planned well in advance and was a goodwill visit at the invitation of the Russian army. The US ambassador to Pretoria had accused South Africa of secretly providing arms to Russia, which South African officials denied. South Africa has refused to condemn Russia's war on Ukraine, saying it wants to stay neutral.