Zelenskiy visits South Africa to strengthen ties and seek support for peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in South Africa on Thursday for high-level discussions with President Cyril Ramaphosa. The talks aim to enhance bilateral cooperation and explore pathways to end Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
Zelenskiy’s visit comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts to bolster global backing for Kyiv, particularly as former U.S. President Donald Trump has recently warned that American support could waver without visible steps toward peace.
On social media, Zelenskiy expressed his intention to meet not only with Ramaphosa but also with a range of political and civil leaders in South Africa, emphasizing the need to push forward a “just peace.”
Despite its strong ties with Russia, South Africa has remained officially neutral since the war began in 2022. Ramaphosa’s office noted that the visit offers a key opportunity for both nations to review their relationship and discuss ways to contribute to long-term peace.
Earlier in the week, Ramaphosa had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which both leaders reaffirmed their cooperation and interest in a peaceful resolution.
Zelenskiy reiterated on Wednesday the urgency for a complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire. He stressed Ukraine’s openness to any format of negotiations that could bring about such an outcome.
This marks the first-ever visit by a Ukrainian president to South Africa. The two leaders previously met in Kyiv in 2023 as part of a broader African-led peace initiative, though it yielded limited progress.
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