South Africa’s foreign ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador to a meeting on Friday to express its “extreme dissatisfaction” with allegations that South Africa supplied its products to Russia. War on Ukraine.

In a statement posted on Facebook, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation said Ruben Brigitte’s comments were “incomprehensible and inconsistent with the mutually beneficial and friendly relationship that exists between the United States of America and South Africa.”

use diplomatic terms to refer to formal complaintit added that Brigety, who had been an ambassador since last year, had been “sacked”.

The ministry did not directly deny Bridgetty’s claim in a Thursday briefing to local reporters that Washington was “sure” that the Russian cargo ship Lady R. loaded weapons and ammunition from South Africa in December.

Calling it “simply unacceptable,” Brigety said he was “willing to bet on the accuracy of that assertion.”

Mrs R was at the South African Naval Base when Brigitte suggested it, and was associated with a company sanctioned The United States transports weapons for the Russian government and assists its war effort, according to the Associated Press.

After meeting with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandol on Friday, Brigitte said on Twitter that he was “appreciative” for the opportunity to “correct any false impressions left by my public statements”.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a separate statement Friday that secretary of state anthony blinken Speak to Pandor on Friday.

“Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of the U.S.-South strategic partnership and reaffirmed cooperation on shared priorities, including health, trade and energy,” he said.

Clayson Monyela, South Africa’s head of public diplomacy, insisted in a statement on Twitter on Saturday that Pretoria had not violated its rules. Declares neutrality in Ukraine conflict.

Monyela said his government’s arms control board had “publicly stated that they had not approved any arms sales to Russia related to the period or event in question,” adding that any assertion that South Africa sold arms or was arming Russia was “factually incorrect.” .”

South Africa’s own arms control laws state that the country “will not trade in conventional arms with states engaged in repression, aggression or terrorism”.

His comments came after the inauguration of South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa In a statement on Thursday, Brigitte said Brigitte’s comments were “disappointing” and “counterproductive” and undermined an agreement between the United States and South Africa to conduct an independent investigation into the matter.

Asked about the allegations in South Africa’s National Assembly on Thursday, Ramaphos said they were “investigating”.

South Africa Abstains from condemning Russian invasion In a UN vote last year, he said he would take a neutral stance on the war, while calling for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

country also hosts Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks in January and allowed Russian and Chinese warships to use its waters for joint naval exercise It coincided with the one-year anniversary of the February invasion of Ukraine.

Their historic relationship was built on Soviet support for the ruling African National Congress when it was a liberation organization fighting to end apartheid.

Abigail Williams and Associated Press contributed.