Biden calls South Africa a vital voice despite Russia stance

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME and AAMER MADHANI
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is praising South Africa as a vital voice on the global stage. Biden hosted President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday at the White House for talks that touched on the two nations’ differences on Russia’s war in Ukraine and more. Ramaphosa is among African leaders who have maintained a neutral stance in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Biden made no direct mention of that in a brief appearance before the media Friday, but the U.S. president seemed to offer a subtle recognition of the two countries’ differences. Biden says they need to make sure they “fully understand one another.”