Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit South Africa on April 10 to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa. They will discuss peace efforts regarding the Ukraine war, building on prior dialogues. While South Africa remains neutral, both leaders seek to boost relations with the U.S. as they navigate a complex geopolitical landscape of influence in Africa, particularly against Russian efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit South Africa in April for a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa. The visit is set for April 10, as confirmed by South Africa’s presidential spokesman, Vincent Magwenya. The primary focus of their discussions will be on advancing efforts to cease Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The spokesman elaborated that this visit represents a continuation of ongoing dialogues led by President Ramaphosa involving both Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, aimed at fostering an inclusive peace process for the conflict. South Africa maintains a neutral position regarding the war in Ukraine, having earlier spearheaded a peace initiative with six African nations without achieving favorable outcomes.
Notably, this meeting is occurring at a time when both leaders are seeking to enhance their diplomatic relations with United States President Donald Trump. Amid the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has intensified its diplomatic outreach to African nations, seeking to engage them in the peace initiatives. Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has actively traveled throughout Africa to garner involvement from African leaders in this process.
Conversely, Russia has also been making efforts to expand its influence within Africa. In August 2024, the military governments of Mali and Niger announced their decision to cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine, alleging Ukraine’s support for Tuareg rebels who attacked Russian Wagner mercenaries in Mali.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit to South Africa underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. The meeting with President Ramaphosa aims to discuss peace initiatives, reflecting both leaders’ aspirations to strengthen ties with the United States. The fluctuating dynamics in Africa highlight the broader struggle for influence by both Ukraine and Russia amid the challenges of the ongoing war.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
