South Africa Hosts Zelenskyy for Key Talks on War and Diplomacy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa on Thursday for high-level talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa, aimed at deepening bilateral ties and strengthening global efforts to achieve peace amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. The visit marked the first-ever by a Ukrainian head of state to South Africa.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to Reuters.

However, shortly after his arrival, Zelenskyy announced a change in plans, cutting his trip short following a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack across Ukraine. The overnight assault, which included nearly 70 missiles and around 150 drones, caused widespread destruction and left over 80 people injured.

“Forty-four days ago, Ukraine agreed to a complete ceasefire as proposed by the United States. Yet Russia continues to kill and faces no real accountability,” Zelenskyy said on social media. He added that part of his visit's agenda was canceled, and he would return to Ukraine immediately after his meeting with Ramaphosa.

During their discussions, Zelenskyy underscored the urgent need for an unconditional ceasefire and emphasized Ukraine’s requests for enhanced air defense support from international partners. He also called for humanitarian assistance, particularly for the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

South Africa has positioned itself as a potential mediator. Ramaphosa, who spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, reaffirmed strong bilateral relations with Russia and expressed a desire to support peaceful resolution efforts.

Despite the shortened trip, Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of engaging G20 nations in the diplomatic process. "It is crucial to bring a just peace closer. We are working to ensure that the G20 countries are actively engaged in diplomatic efforts," Zelensky stated.