WHY SA BARRED RUSSIAN VESSEL

Trump's tariffs influence Russian naval ship's entry

- MASHUDU SADIKE

THE South African government's last-minute scramble to secure a deal to avoid Donald Trump's 30% unilateral tariffs is believed to be among the reasons it refused a Russian Navy Baltic Fleet training vessel entry in Cape Town.

The Smolny, reportedly carrying cadets on a training mission to hone their maritime, communication, and navigation skills, had intended to make a brief stopover in Cape Town for restocking, replenishment, and resupply earlier this week.

About 400 personnel are on board the vessel, comprising 200 naval cadets and foreign military personnel from allied nations. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that future naval officers will receive practical training during the voyage.

The Smolny, on its first African tour, visited Equatorial Guinea (July 20) and Sao Tome and Principe (July 23), offering guided tours to military, police, students, and local Russians. On July 27, it docked in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo, where naval cooperation talks were held.