South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a state visit. This development comes after Ukraine was excluded from recent US-Russia talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
During a phone conversation, Ramaphosa and Zelensky emphasized the need for an inclusive peace process. Zelensky reiterated the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in negotiations, stating “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
South Africa has been working to mediate in the conflict, with Ramaphosa leading a diplomatic mission to meet with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023. This outreach is part of South Africa’s broader attempt to influence the war’s outcome and position itself as an independent broker.
The planned state visit marks a significant development in the relationship between Ramaphosa and Zelensky, who have maintained regular communications since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
