Ukrainian president visits South Africa amid strained relations with Washington

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting South Africa, Thursday, aiming to strengthen relations with this prominent BRICS member state, which has officially adopted a neutral stance regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office announced that he will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Zelensky, for an official summit to discuss security and peace issues, in addition to strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields.

South African presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said that the visit is a continuation of the ongoing discussions between President Ramaphosa, President Putin, and President Zelensky on a comprehensive process… that would provide a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Ahead of the Ukrainian president’s official visit to Pretoria, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call on Monday to discuss developments in the war between Moscow and Kyiv.

Putin emphasized the need to address the root causes of the conflict in a manner that takes into account Russia’s security interests, referring to his country’s demands for guarantees regarding NATO expansion and Ukraine’s demilitarization.

Opposition parties in South Africa, including Umkhonto we Soweto, have announced plans to stage protests against the visit, describing Zelensky as a “puppet president” subservient to the West.

The party stated that it rejects South Africa as a station for promoting a one-sided narrative about the Russian-Ukrainian war, adding, “the South must remain independent of global polarization”.

Zelensky’s planned visit to South Africa comes after his public dispute with US President Donald Trump at the White House and Washington’s decision to halt military aid to Kyiv.

The visit also comes amid strained US-South Africa relations.

On the other hand, Washington announced in mid-March the expulsion of Pretoria’s ambassador, accusing him of “hating the country and its president, Donald Trump”.