President Jacob Zuma and Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted reciprocal working visits in the space of three months this year
President Jacob Zuma has condemned the killing of Andrei Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, who was shot dead on Monday while making a speech at a photo exhibition at a gallery in Ankara.
Zuma said he was speaking on behalf of all South Africans in sending his condolences to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Russia has said that Karlov’s assassination was an attempt to sour relations between Russia and Turkey.
“We would like to convey our deepest condolences to His Excellency President Vladimir Putin, the government of the Russian Federation, and in particular to the family of ambassador Karlov. We also wish those injured in the attack a speedy and full recovery,” Zuma said.
The gunman has reportedly been identified as a police officer, who was off duty when he fired bullets at Karlov’s back.
He was “neutralised” by Turkish police special forces shortly after he fired the shots. The police officer is said to have shouted, “Don’t forget Aleppo” after he shot Karlov. The killing has been seen as an attempt at revenge in response to Russia’s support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad regime’s acts of violence against civilians in eastern Aleppo which has led to mass evacuations.
Zuma also said South Africa will strengthen its resolve to fight terrorism.
“Terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and any acts of terrorism are criminal, unjustifiable and cannot be condoned,” Zuma said.
The South African government has been in talks with Russia about a controversial nuclear deal.