#BRICSza | Mr Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of Delegation for the Russian Federation is received by International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Mr Alvin Botes as he arrives at the Waterkloof Airforce Base. Minister Lavrov is in South Africa to represent Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who will participate fully in all summit meetings, virtually. Russia’s relations with South Africa date back to the years of the freedom movement where as part of the USSR, Russia played a role as key supporters for liberation in South Africa. Full diplomatic relations were established between the two countries on 28 February 1992.