Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky to meet with Cyril Ramaphos South Africa to resist Russia

The President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky is on a historical visit to South Africa, which signals a sharp improvement of once simplified relations between the two countries.

The visit notes a diplomatic breakthrough for the Ukrainian leader in his efforts to resist strong – and grows in Africa.

“I am sure that Russia will be angry with a visit, but I do not think it can do it in many ways,” said Stephen Gruzd of the South African Institute of Analytical Centers of International Relations.

In addition to the short stop at Cape Verde in 2023 during Argentina’s flight, this is Zelensky’s first visit to Africa since he became the president of Ukraine in 2019.

Ukraine realized the diplomatic significance of African states, when many of them – including the regional power plant of South Africa – refused to condemn the full invasion of Russia into the territory in 2022.

“Ukraine has neglected the continent in terms of foreign policy, but it has changed it over the last three years, doubled its embassies from 10 to 20,” Mr. Grussd said.

“But it is in a very crowded space – Russia, China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are trying to increase their influence in Africa.”

Zelensky’s visit to South Africa is particularly significant at the moment, as Ukraine’s relations with the USA – its main arms provider – Sucosa after US President Donald Trump took over in January.

He stopped military assistance, declared herbs as a “dictator” and accused Ukraine for war.

“Ukraine requires every legitimacy it can get internationally – not only in Europe. The wars not only won the battlefield, but also in public opinion courts,” said Prof.

For the president of South Africa, Kirill Ramaphos is equally significant as his country is under heavy pressure from the Trump administration.

“The United States has turned diplomacy on the head,” said Mr. Hood, adding, “Everyone is looking for new friends.”

Ramaphos views Zelensky’s visit as an attempt to enhance his powers as a peacemaker, saying that their negotiations would be aimed at finding a “way to peace”.

The leader of South Africa added that he and Putin had a telephone conversation on the eve of Zelensky’s visit.

“We both confirmed strong bilateral relations between our countries,” Ramaphos said in a message on x.

“We also pledged to work together in relation to the peaceful resolution of Russia-Ukraine conflict,” he added.

Ramaphos first tried to take on the role of a peacemaker in 2023, when he headed the delegation of African leaders both to Kiev and in Moscow to try to meditate in the conflict.

The initiative appeared when South Africa collided with the administration of the Presidential Administration Joe Biden, who questioned her neutrality in the conflict after he conducted naval exercises with Russia and China.

Relationships deteriorated after the then ambassador in Washington to Pretoria Accused of South Africa in weapons and ammunition to Russia.

Later, Ramaphos appointed an investigation under the leadership of the judge’s investigation. He did not find evidence to support the ambassador’s demands, but the relationship between South Africa and Biden’s administration remained tense.

South Africa’s ties with Russia were not painful for Trump, as he also arranges Putin and pushes Zelensky to conclude with the Russian leader.

However, Trump’s relations with South Africa reached rock -his genocidal case against Israel in the International Court (CU), and for what he calls “unfair and immoral practices” against the community of the African minority – the accusation of the Ramafosa government.

Professor Sondi said South Africa should guarantee that Ramaphos’ talks with Zelensky did not hurt their attempts to remedy relations with the Trump administration.

“South Africa will want to explain that it adds efforts to build peace, and its role is not in competition with (B),” he added.

The analyst said he also hoped that Ramaphos would focus on strengthening trade ties with Ukraine, as South Africa’s economy was in crisis, low -rise and high unemployment.

“Any volume of trade, no matter how small, is crucial for South Africa,” he said, adding that strong relations between the two countries can also benefit Ukraine in his efforts to expand his influence on the continent.

“South Africa can become a gateway of Ukraine to Africa from its ports and financial systems,” said Professor Sondi.

If this happens, it will mark a new chapter in the relations of Ukraine-Africa, though not necessarily at the expense of Russia.

“Both Russia and Ukraine are the largest exporters of cereals to Africa. Africa require both. We cannot expect the parties to choose,” the analyst said.