South African President Engages with Zelensky: On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa commended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his inaugural visit to South Africa for his dedication to an unconditional ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia, thereby advocating for the potential for peace talks.
Ramaphosa expressed South Africa’s support for efforts aimed at ending the enduring war, holding discussions with Zelensky immediately after a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. Both leaders emphasized the urgent necessity to resolve the conflict.
“It is uplifting to see President Zelensky conveying Ukraine’s willingness for an unconditional ceasefire, which paves the way for discussions and negotiations to commence,” Ramaphosa stated to reporters after meeting the Ukrainian president.
“This serves as a crucial confidence-building measure necessary for the negotiation process.”
While welcoming Zelensky to South Africa, Ramaphosa has sustained strong relations with Russia, a long-standing ally of the post-apartheid government due to its assistance during the struggle against minority rule.
He mentioned having communicated with President Putin earlier in the week, remarking, “We both concurred on collaborating towards a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.”
Ramaphosa also indicated that they would “meet soon to address various matters related to U.S.-South Africa relations,” referring to the notable decline in bilateral ties following Trump’s election earlier this year.
U.S. criticism regarding South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies led to a reduction in aid and the expulsion of Pretoria’s ambassador last month.
The South African president emphasized his country’s readiness to partake in “inclusive multilateral efforts” to secure peace in Ukraine.
“We urge all parties, including Russia and Ukraine, to ensure a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire to facilitate negotiations between the two nations.”
United for Peace
Zelensky expressed hope that South Africa’s backing “will help stop Russia and compel Putin to agree to… a complete unconditional ceasefire,” as per translated comments provided by the South African government.
He underscored the necessity for global efforts to be “as united as possible” to exert pressure on Russia.
Zelensky mentioned that the G20, under South Africa’s presidency this year and set to convene for a summit in November, also plays a part in the “protection of life.”
“We are counting heavily on this.”
He presented Ramaphosa with a list of 400 Ukrainian children allegedly held in Russia “against their will,” expressing hope that South Africa could assist in their repatriation.
Furthermore, Ukraine seeks to enhance its ties with South Africa, particularly in energy security and sectors such as fertilizer production.
Shortly after his arrival in South Africa on Thursday morning, the Ukrainian president declared that he would cut his visit short to return to Kyiv following a devastating attack on the capital that resulted in numerous casualties.
Ramaphosa’s invitation to Zelensky has been interpreted as a shift in Pretoria’s previously neutral position regarding the conflict, which began in 2022.
For the first time in February, Pretoria supported a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia for “the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
South Africa believes it can navigate relations with both parties to promote an inclusive peace process, drawing on its own relatively stable transition from apartheid in 1994 after years of armed conflict.
“The negotiations that concluded the end of apartheid were undertaken on a no-precondition basis,” Ramaphosa remarked, urging both Moscow and Kyiv to adopt a similar approach.
The South African leader acknowledged that Zelensky had made “significant advancements” in strengthening Ukraine’s relationships with the African continent.
Moscow has been striving to widen its influence in Africa, including military dimensions, and is seeking to establish new partnerships following its isolation from the West due to its actions against Ukraine.
