Russia to establish diplomatic ties with South Sudan

Russia is ready to establish diplomatic relations with South Sudan, the Foreign Ministry's official spokesman said on Thursday. "We are prepared to establish diplomatic relations with the new African state and intend to hold detailed talks on the issue with South Sudan's representatives in the near future," Alexander Lukashevich said. South Sudan had been seeking independence since it concluded a peace deal with the north in 2005, ending two decades of civil war in the impoverished northeast African nation. In February, the region voted to become a separate state. South Sudan will officially become Africa's 53rd state on July 9, after a five-month transition period under the peace agreement.