Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was welcomed by his South African counterpart for talks in Pretoria on Monday, in a visit that has sparked criticism against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

A continental powerhouse, South Africa has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and resisted taking sides over the war.

The conflict has triggered sweeping Western sanctions against Moscow and attempts leave it diplomatically isolated.

South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor thanked Lavrov for the “most wonderful meeting” after the talks, which she earlier said would have helped “strengthen the already good relations” between the two countries.