Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit South Africa on April 10 to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa. The meeting will focus on peace efforts regarding the Ukraine-Russia war. South Africa’s neutrality in the conflict and Ramaphosa’s previous peace initiatives will be discussed. This visit occurs amid efforts to enhance relations with the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit South Africa in April for discussions with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The meeting, confirmed by South Africa’s presidency spokesman Vincent Magwenya, is set for April 10, focusing on efforts to conclude the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The spokesman emphasized that this visit continues President Ramaphosa’s previous engagements with President Putin and President Zelenskyy aimed at fostering a comprehensive peace process between the two nations. South Africa maintains a neutral position regarding the conflict, having previously initiated a peace effort with six African nations which did not yield significant results.
The timing of this meeting is particularly salient as both leaders are seeking to enhance relations with US President Donald Trump. Amid the full-scale war, Ukraine has actively pursued diplomatic outreach, especially towards African nations and the Global South, with former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba undertaking extensive tours of the continent to encourage African participation in the peace initiative.
Conversely, Russia is also enhancing its influence in Africa, as illustrated by the decision of military juntas in Mali and Niger to sever diplomatic ties with Ukraine, alleging that Ukraine supported Tuareg rebels who attacked Russian Wagner mercenaries in Mali in August 2024.
In summary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit to South Africa marks a significant effort to engage with African leadership in promoting a peace process regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict. With South Africa’s neutral stance and President Ramaphosa’s past initiatives for peace, the discussions may prove crucial. Both nations are also looking to strengthen ties with the United States amidst rising geopolitical tensions in the region.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
