Zelenskyy to Visit South Africa for Talks In April

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit South Africa next month for discussions with President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Pretoria continues efforts to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow.

A spokesperson for the South African presidency confirmed that the talks would build on Ramaphosa’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with both Ukraine and Russia to seek a path to peace. Despite its historical ties with Russia—including BRICS membership—South Africa has positioned itself as a neutral player in the conflict, advocating for inclusive peace negotiations. Zelenskyy’s visit follows his tense meeting with former US President Donald Trump, after which Washington halted military aid to Ukraine. In response, European leaders reaffirmed their support, pushing for stronger defence commitments.

Meanwhile, South Africa has insisted that Ukraine must be included in any peace discussions, aligning with European calls for a fair and inclusive resolution. Ramaphosa will host European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa at the upcoming EU-South Africa summit in Cape Town.

As the current G20 president, South Africa is calling for global cooperation to end the war. With shifting alliances and high-stakes diplomacy, Zelenskyy’s visit could be pivotal in shaping future peace efforts.