Zelenskyy to visit South Africa next month - Bloomberg
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit South Africa in April. He will meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Bloomberg reports.
South Africa's presidency spokesman Vincent Magwenya confirmed on Thursday, March 6, that Zelenskyy will meet with Ramaphosa on April 10. They will discuss efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
"The visit is a continuation of ongoing engagements held by President Ramaphosa with President Putin and President Zelenskyy on an inclusive peace process that will provide a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine," said the spokesman.
South Africa has declared its neutral stance on the war in Ukraine. Cyril Ramaphosa led a peace initiative two years ago with six African countries, but it did not yield results.
Bloomberg also notes that Zelenskyy and Ramaphosa will meet at a time when both are trying to strengthen relations with US President Donald Trump.
During the full-scale war, Ukraine has intensified its diplomatic efforts, particularly with Africa and the Global South. Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba made several tours to African countries in an attempt to involve African leaders in the peace process.
Russia, in turn, is also trying to increase its influence in Africa. In August 2024, the military juntas of Mali and Niger decided to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine. They accused Ukraine of allegedly supporting Tuareg rebels who destroyed a column of Russian Wagner mercenaries in Mali.
