The South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Ruben Brigety, the United States ambassador to South Africa, after accusing Washington of providing arms and ammunition to Russia. The statement, attributed to officials at the ministry, noted that the ambassador had crossed an established line in his remarks and prompted a formal expression of concern. In this account, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry shared a photo showing Naledi Pandor, the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, engaging in a discussion with Brigety in one of his offices, underscoring the seriousness with which Pretoria views the matter.
According to the ministry, the United States ambassador was summoned on a Friday following his comments the day before, triggering a diplomatic response that emphasized the need for careful, restrained communication in publicly addressing sensitive issues. The ministry also stated that it conveyed its dissatisfaction with Brigety’s behavior, while also noting that the apology issued was unconditional and that the door remained open for continued dialogue between the two governments.
As part of the official briefing, the representative highlighted that the meeting confirmed both sides’ willingness to work together for the benefit of the peoples of the two nations. The ministry reiterated its commitment to using appropriate diplomatic channels to address any points of disagreement that might arise during ongoing interactions between South Africa and the United States, reinforcing a shared commitment to constructive engagement.
In a related development, Pandor and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly spoke by phone, with the ministry noting that the detailed content of the conversation was not disclosed. The exchange was framed as part of the broader effort to maintain open lines of communication and to manage any tensions through established diplomatic processes.
Separately, on a regional note, a President Vladimir Putin–initiated call was reported to have taken place with Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, on May 12. The exchange was described as part of ongoing efforts to coordinate positions and exchange views on global developments, although further specifics were not publicly disclosed. Marked citations accompany these statements to reflect the official stance and to indicate the source of the information while avoiding direct links or external references.