Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit South Africa on April 10 for discussions with President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding peace talks with Russia. The meeting continues Ramaphosa’s mediation efforts and emphasizes the need for Ukraine’s inclusion in ongoing negotiations. South Africa’s neutral stance and ties to Russia aim to promote a pathway to peace amid the conflict’s complexities.
The South African government announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit South Africa on April 10 as part of ongoing discussions aimed at establishing a pathway to peace with Russia. The visit will feature talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, enhancing diplomatic relations and promoting an inclusive peace agenda in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The talks represent a continuation of President Ramaphosa’s mediation efforts between Ukraine and Russia, which have had limited success thus far. In 2023, Ramaphosa led an African peace mission that engaged with both Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by further communications with both leaders.
South Africa’s neutral stance in the conflict is further depicted by its ties to Russia through BRICS, a bloc of developing nations. President Ramaphosa aims to leverage this relationship in facilitating discussions for peace. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy is rallying support, especially in light of a recent setback involving U.S. military aid related to diplomatic pressures from former President Donald Trump.
Moreover, South Africa emphasizes the necessity for Ukraine’s inclusion in peace talks, aligning with the views of several European leaders. As a further step towards this objective, President Ramaphosa will engage in discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa during the upcoming EU-South Africa summit in Cape Town. South Africa’s presidency of the Group of 20 this year underscores its call for collective efforts from major global powers to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
In summary, South Africa’s facilitation of discussions for peace between Ukraine and Russia underscores its commitment to mediating in international conflicts. President Zelenskyy’s visit in April aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and emphasize the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in peace negotiations. The engagements with major European leaders further signal South Africa’s diplomatic ambitions in the context of the Group of 20 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
