President Cyril Ramaphosa and Volodymyr Zelensky. Picture: Kopano Tlape/GCIS
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to South Africa to discuss an “inclusive peace process” aimed at ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The invitation comes as global diplomatic efforts intensify, with major powers Russia and United States considering negotiations while Ukraine remains sidelined from key discussions.
Ramaphosa and Zelensky have both emphasized the urgency of an inclusive peace process that involves all parties. South Africa has maintained a non-aligned stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, despite its historical ties to Moscow and its membership in the BRICS bloc alongside Russia.
While Ramaphosa has previously referred to Russia as a “valuable friend and ally,” he has also expressed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The invitation to Zelensky follows South Africa’s previous efforts to mediate the conflict. In 2023, Ramaphosa led a delegation of African nations to meet with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking a peaceful resolution to the war.
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US-Russia Talks and Ukraine’s Exclusion
Zelensky’s visit to South Africa comes at a time of growing frustration over US-Russia talks that exclude Ukraine and its European allies. Putin and his United States counterpart, Donald Trump, have held discussions on ending the war, raising concerns that decisions about Ukraine’s future are being made without its direct involvement.
Meanwhile, Trump has drawn criticism for his remarks on Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” who has “done a terrible job.” Trump’s rhetoric echoes Kremlin propaganda, further complicating international efforts to support Ukraine.
Zelensky has expressed optimism about South Africa’s involvement, stating that “South Africa’s voice matters, and we count on its support”. Ukraine’s ambassador to South Africa has urged Ramaphosa to invite Zelensky to the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit to discuss a path to peace. Additionally, the ambassador suggested that Ramaphosa establish a platform for other African leaders to engage with Zelensky.
South Africa’s efforts to mediate the conflict come as the war enters its third year since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The roots of the conflict trace back to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, which set the stage for the prolonged hostilities.
The invitation to Zelensky coincides with worsening US-South Africa relations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently skipped a G20 meeting in South Africa, accusing Pretoria of pushing an “anti-Americanism” agenda. Meanwhile, China has signalled support for Trump’s approach to negotiating a settlement with Russia.
