South Africa could turn to Russia or Iran to expand its civilian nuclear power capacity, a senior government minister said, a stance analysts say could deepen a rift with the United States and further delay the renewal of a strategic energy pact.

Johannesburg — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in South Africa on Thursday for a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 nations, where top European diplomats are expected to reinforce their support for Ukraine and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a high-profile absentee.

The move by Africa's largest economy would mark a significant turn away from the US and toward Washington's rivals.

LIVE: Ramaphosa Invites Zelensky as Russia-Ukraine War Completes Three Years| Firstpost Africa | N18G As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its fourth year, South Africa has agreed to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who has been keen on visiting the nation for quite some time.

Our government’s courageous actions against human rights violations should be applauded rather than condemned. The United States has no moral authority to lecture South Africa on human rights, given its track record of international interventions of an oppressive nature,

South Africa is exploring new allies in its bid to expand nuclear power, with Russia and Iran emerging as possible partners. ・South Africa is considering Russia and Iran as potential partners for expanding nuclear power capacity.

South Africa-US Rift Widens? Ramaphosa Open to Russia, Iran Nuclear Deals | Firstpost Africa | N18G South Africa says it is open to deals with Russia and Iran to achieve its nuclear power goals. South Africa's Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said Pretoria is open to nuclear energy bids from Russia and Iran for its plan to expand civilian nuclear power capacity.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will skip a meeting of foreign ministers from the leading rich and developing nations, known as the Group of 20, that starts on Thursday

South Africa's rand strengthened on Monday after soft U.S. data and ahead of a data-packed week, as investors shrugged off the return of rolling blackouts to Africa's most industrialised economy.