President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Kazan in the Russian Federation to lead South Africa’s participation in the XVI BRICS Summit.

The President and a high-level South Africa delegation were welcomed at the Kazan International Airport on Tuesday morning, where he even got to sample some of the local treats.

Kicking off his official programme, Ramaphosa will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin this afternoon.

According to the Presidency, the meeting presents an opportunity for Ramaphosa to communicate the “priorities of the seventh administration, highlight the strategic importance of the Russian Federation to South Africa, and exchange views with the Host President on issues of mutual interest.”

Ramaphosa will also hold several bilateral meetings with Leaders attending the BRICS Summit to “strengthen political and economic relations in line with South Africa’s national interests and foreign policy priorities.”

In the evening, Ramaphosa will attend the Welcome Cultural Ceremony for BRICS Leaders hosted by Putin.

On Wednesday, Ramaphosa will deliver the country’s statement during the BRICS Plenary session, themed Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security.”

He will also attend the Welcoming Ceremony for Heads of Delegations of BRICS States, Invited Countries and International Organizations.

President Ramaphosa will deliver a second country statement on Thursday, during the BRICS Summit Outreach/ BRICS Plus session, held under the theme “BRICS and Global South: building a better world together”.

The dialogue aims to enhance BRICS ties with leading developing economies.

The Leaders of Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates will meet for the first time since new members were invited to join BRICS during the Johannesburg II BRICS Summit of 23 August 2023.

The Kremlin has called it one of the “largest-scale foreign policy events ever” in Russia. Analysts say Putin is likely attempting to send a message to the West that isolating Russia due to the war in Ukraine has not worked.

Travelling with President Ramaphosa is the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga; Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition,  Parks Tau.