Africa News 24 Pretoria Bureau
TSHWANE, South Africa — President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday, marking the first official visit by a Ukrainian head of state since the two nations established diplomatic ties 33 years ago. The historic meeting underscored deepening bilateral ties and a shared commitment to advancing peace amid Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
In his opening remarks, Ramaphosa praised the visit as a reflection of “our shared commitment to enhancing bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of our peoples.” He highlighted Ukraine’s historical support during South Africa’s liberation struggle, noting that Ukrainian institutions provided training and education to exiled South Africans under apartheid. “We acknowledge with great appreciation the solidarity Ukraine showed us,” he said.
The leaders discussed expanding ties and collaboration in agriculture, trade, infrastructure, education, and women’s empowerment. Ministers from both countries explored trade and agribusiness opportunities, with Ramaphosa commending Ukraine’s recent efforts to address food insecurity in Africa, including grain distribution in famine-stressed regions and the establishment of a grain hub at Kenya’s Port of Mombasa. These initiatives, he noted, stemmed from discussions during the African Peace Initiative, which Ramaphosa joined in Kyiv in June 2023.
Central to the talks was the urgent need for diplomacy to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war. Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s stance that “the only path to peace is through inclusive dialogue and adherence to the UN Charter,” highlighting lessons from South Africa’s transition from apartheid. “Diplomacy and dialogue are more powerful than any weapon,” he stated.
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The South African president revealed he had spoken with both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin this week to advocate for peace. Ramaphosa and Trump agreed to meet soon to discuss the conflict and US-South Africa relations, while his call with Putin focused on collaborative efforts toward a resolution. “We stand ready to support all credible multilateral efforts for a just and lasting peace,” Ramaphosa said.
Zelensky’s visit concluded with a reaffirmation of bilateral friendship, with Ramaphosa expressing hope that the Ukrainian leader would depart with “good memories.” The visit signals Ukraine’s expanding engagement with Africa and South Africa’s evolving role as an advocate for peaceful conflict resolution on the global stage.
