South Africa hopes the Russia-Ukraine conflict "will soon be brought to a peaceful end" through talks, says Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, speaking alongside visiting Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Russia's top diplomat was welcomed by Naledi for talks in Pretoria 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. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES