---
title: "EU's Borrell wants South Africa to convince Russia to stop Ukraine war"
description: "PRETORIA, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday said he hoped South Africa would use its good relations with Russia to convince it to stop the war in Ukraine."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Ukraine War"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-01-27-eus-borrell-wants-south-africa-to-convince-russia-to-stop-ukraine-war/"
published: "2023-01-27T14:19:39"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 85
---

# EU's Borrell wants South Africa to convince Russia to stop Ukraine war

> PRETORIA, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday said he hoped South Africa would use its good relations with Russia to convince it to stop the war in Ukraine.

By Reuters · Published 27 January 2023, 16:19 SAST

## Key points
- EU High Representative Josep Borrell and South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor have come together in Pretoria to discuss the importance of a rules-based international order. Borrell emphasized that the EU is not asking South Africa to choose sides, but rather, to stand with the UN Charter. Pandor echoed this sentiment, noting that countries across the world must play a role in seeking peace. Both leaders agree that South Africa is an important partner for the EU in this regard. This marks an important step forward for upholding and strengthening global governance structures.
- EU High Representative Josep Borrell visits South Africa to discuss international order.
- EU urges countries to stand with the UN Charter and considers SA an important partner.
- Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor says African countries must play a role in seeking peace.
- Reporting by Carien du Plessis, Anait Miridzhanian; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning.

## Content

"The EU isn't asking South Africa to choose sides, just asking countries across the world to stand with the UN Charter," said Borrell, speaking alongside South Africa's foreign minister Naledi Pandor in the capital Pretoria.

The EU considers South Africa an important partner in the rules-based international order, he added.

Pandor said: "It is not just South Africa and other African countries that must play a role at seeking peace."

(Reporting by Carien du Plessis, Anait Miridzhanian; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning)