Johannesburg: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on April 10, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson announced on Friday. The visit comes as Zelenskiy seeks to bolster international support after the United States halted all military assistance to Ukraine.
South Africa has maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war but shares close ties with Moscow. Both nations are members of the BRICS alliance, alongside China, India, and Brazil, which aims to challenge Western economic dominance. Despite global pressure, South Africa has refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has abstained from United Nations votes on the conflict.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya described Zelenskiy’s visit as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts by Ramaphosa, who has been engaging with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskiy in pursuit of a peace process.
South Africa has previously faced scrutiny over its stance on the war. In 2023, the U.S. ambassador to South Africa alleged that the country had supplied arms to Russia, contradicting its claims of neutrality. However, an inquiry found no proof that a Russian ship had transported weapons from a South African naval base.
Zelenskiy’s visit comes at a crucial stage in the conflict, particularly after his recent dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. The Trump administration’s decision to cut military aid to Kyiv has intensified the situation, while Trump has pushed for a swift resolution to the war and sought to improve U.S.-Russia relations. In response, European leaders have pledged increased defense spending and reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine.
