South Africa is preparing to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a state visit, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on X, though he did not specify a date.
The announcement follows a week in which Ukraine was excluded from US-Russia talks on ending the three-year war. In a phone conversation, Ramaphosa and Zelensky agreed on the need for an inclusive peace process, with Zelensky emphasizing that decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine.
Despite South Africa’s historically close ties with Russia and its membership in the BRICS bloc, Ramaphosa has positioned his country as a mediator in the conflict. In 2023, he led a delegation of seven African nations, including Egypt, Senegal, Zambia, and Uganda, to meet both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky expressed gratitude for South Africa’s support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying he hopes for a just and lasting peace this year. His planned visit comes amid growing tensions between Ukraine and the US, as well as South Africa’s increasingly strained relations with Washington.
Political analyst Dr. Oscar van Heerden described the visit as a strategic move, allowing South Africa to amplify its diplomatic role while offering Ukraine a platform to voice its concerns. He noted that Zelensky might see South Africa as an “honest broker” given its ties to Russia but lack of direct involvement in the war.
