President Cyril Ramaphosa said Friday that Volodymyr Zelensky would soon visit South Africa for talks on resolving the war in Ukraine, which Russia invaded nearly three years ago.
The two presidents had agreed on “the urgent need for an inclusive peace process that involves all parties,” Ramaphosa stated.
The offer comes amid widespread criticism of Russia’s and the United States’ efforts to resolve the war through negotiations to which neither Ukraine nor its European allies were invited.
“I welcome the constructive engagement I had with President @ZelenskyyUA and I look forward to hosting him in South Africa soon for a state visit,” Ramaphosa posted on X.
“South Africa remains committed to supporting the dialogue process between Russia and Ukraine,” the president stated.
Zelensky praised Ramaphosa for supporting “Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and expressed optimism for peace this year.
“Our countries must take the same stance: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. We all wish for a just and enduring peace this year. “South Africa’s voice matters, and we rely on its support,” he wrote.
A date has yet to be set for the state visit.
While South Africa has attempted to maintain neutrality in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it has been accused of favouring Moscow.
Ramaphosa characterised Russia as a “valuable friend and ally” in October during a BRICS conference hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The South African president met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday in Johannesburg, on the margins of a summit of top diplomats from the Group of 20 (G20) leading nations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend the two-day meeting in Pretoria, South Africa, after accusing the country of an “anti-Americanism” agenda.
According to South African foreign ministry spokesman Chrispin Phiri, the ministry is to offer a closing briefing later Friday following a series of bilateral meetings with China and Russia.
When asked about South Africa’s ties with Europe, Phiri said, “We share common values, and when they are under attack, we stand together for them.”
