Politico published on 1 June 2023 an article titled "A U.S. Envoy's Tongue-lashing of South Africa Infuriates Foggy Bottom" by Nahal Toosi.
In December 2022, a Russian cargo ship docked at South Africa's Simon's Town naval base and, according to public comments by the US ambassador to South Africa, took on a supply of arms for use against Ukraine. South Africa agreed to investigate the charge, but was outraged that the US ambassador discussed it publicly. If the arms transfer proves to be true, it would undermine South Africa's assertion of neutrality on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
