In the meeting with Putin, Ramaphosa communicated the priorities of the seventh administration, highlighting the strategic importance of the Russian Federation to South Africa, and exchanged views with Putin on issues of mutual interest.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - 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.

South African President Cyril Rampahosaarrived in the Russian city of Kazan on Tuesday to attend the annual BRICS summit as Moscow seeks to project the economic bloc as a geopolitical counterweight to the West.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russia's Vladimir Putin that the international situation was gripped by chaos but that Beijing's strategic partnership with Moscow was a force for stability amid the most significant changes seen in a century.

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.