White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre warned that the US finds South Africa's military drills with Russia and China concerning.

The next drills involving the trio will be dubbed MOSI, which translates to "smoke" in the local Tswana language, and will take place in the Indian Ocean off the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal from February 17 to 27. The exercises will involve more than 350 South African military personnel.

During a press conference, when presented with the topic of Russian-South African affinity, Jean-Pierre responded, "We do have concerns".

The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) said, on Thursday, that about 350 South African army personnel will participate in trilateral maritime drills with Russia and China off the coast of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal region in the Indian Ocean. 

SANDF also noted that the exercise coordinators have agreed on the relevant details to prepare for the exercise as early as December 2022. It also stressed said the war games were meant to "strengthen the already flourishing relations between South Africa, Russia, and China."

On Monday morning, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor received Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the administrative capital city of Pretoria for bilateral talks.

Lavrov said that Russia and South Africa plan to develop bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and the exploration of natural resources.

"Our governments and companies in both countries are all interested in furthering joint projects related to natural resources, energy… peaceful space exploration, infrastructure, hi-tech, smart cities," Lavrov told reporters at a press conference with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor.  

The Russian diplomat added that adjustments in financial instruments and supply chains are required to enhance bilateral ties, noting that Russia is closely working with its partners to create new mechanisms that will shield from the "whims and arbitrariness of our Western colleagues."

"It is real. We have been working on it together with all of our partners who want to ensure fair cooperation and avoid falling victim to unfair competition practices," Lavrov said.

🇷🇺🇿🇦 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of #SouthAfrica Dr. Naledi Pandor

📍 Pretoria, January 23
#RussiaRSA #RussiaAfrica pic.twitter.com/7LI8VtdLmP

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) January 23, 2023

On another note, the Russian diplomat spoke of the West's mixed reaction to joint naval drills initiated by Russia, China, and South Africa, saying he did not understand why they were a source of concern for the West. 

"As for naval exercises, I think there is nothing even to comment on. Three sovereign countries conduct exercises without violating any norms of international law. I don't understand how they can cause a 'mixed' reaction," Lavrov said, noting that the drills could cause such a reaction mainly from the US' side. 

"US colleagues believe that only they can conduct exercises around the world. Now they are actively engaged in naval exercises within the framework of the Indo-Pacific strategies around China, in the South China Sea, in the Taiwan Strait, and this does not cause any mixed reaction from anyone," he added.

The top diplomat highlighted that Russia "does not want any scandals and provocations" and that the naval exercises are transparent since all information has been provided.

"We simply advocate for each country to have its own rights in the international system, as stipulated by the UN Charter," Lavrov concluded.

It is worth noting that South Africa recently took on the mantle of the leadership of the BRICS, a grouping comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, and China."

Read more: Over 350 South African Troops to join drills with Russia, China