Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, the chief of the South African Army, held talks with Russian counterparts in Moscow, resulting in an agreement to strengthen ties between the two nations’ land forces.

Mbatha’s visit to Russia is his second official one, and he was part of a military delegation that will visit military academies and defense companies after holding talks in the capital.

The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the two sides discussed joint projects aimed at enhancing the combat readiness of both countries’ armies, and agreements were reached on further strengthening cooperation between the land forces in various areas.

South Africa has sought to maintain a non-aligned stance on the conflict in Ukraine while preserving strong ties with Moscow as a fellow member of the BRICS group of emerging economies.

Mbatha paid his respects at Moscow’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before holding talks with Russian Colonel General Alexander Matovnikov, deputy commander-in-chief of Russia’s land forces.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.