Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s historic visit to South Africa on Thursday sparked intense global interest, with both former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin contacting President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the implications of the trip.
Zelensky’s visit, the first by a Ukrainian head of state to South Africa, was cut short after a major Russian missile strike on Ukraine, including its capital Kyiv, which left multiple people dead and injured. Zelensky returned home immediately, leaving Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to conclude the remaining diplomatic meetings, many of which were with South African civil society groups.
Global Diplomacy in the Spotlight
Zelensky’s brief but impactful stop in Pretoria significantly elevated South Africa’s diplomatic profile at a time when relations between Pretoria and Washington remain strained. The visit also marked a deepening of bilateral ties between Ukraine and South Africa, with talks ranging from agriculture trade to advanced Ukrainian drone technology, which has rapidly developed since the start of the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022.
At a joint press conference with Ramaphosa, Zelensky reiterated his call for an unconditional ceasefire in the ongoing war with Russia. President Ramaphosa supported the call, likening it to the strategy used during South Africa’s own early 1990s transition from apartheid to democracy.
Trump, Putin, and the Geopolitical Fallout
In a notable twist, Donald Trump phoned Ramaphosa on Wednesday, ahead of Zelensky’s arrival, to discuss the broader Ukraine peace process. According to a post by Ramaphosa on X (formerly Twitter), the two leaders agreed on the urgency of ending the war to prevent further “death and destruction.”
Ramaphosa added that he and Trump plan to meet soon to discuss the conflict and the state of US-South Africa relations, which have become increasingly tense. Trump has publicly accused South Africa of persecuting the white Afrikaner minority and of siding against Israel in its genocide case at the International Court of Justice—charges the South African government strongly denies.
During the press briefing, Ramaphosa denied reports that Trump had urged him to pressure Zelensky into accepting a U.S.-led peace proposal that involves Ukraine relinquishing Crimea—annexed by Russia in 2014—and abandoning its NATO aspirations.
Zelensky was firm in his rejection of those elements of the U.S. plan, noting that doing so would violate Ukraine’s constitution and sovereignty. He did, however, express willingness to explore other aspects of the peace framework. Trump responded sharply, accusing Zelensky of seeking to prolong the conflict indefinitely.
What’s Next for South Africa’s Role?
The visit comes amid increasing efforts by South Africa to position itself as a neutral mediator in global conflicts. Pretoria has faced criticism for its past perceived closeness to Russia but may have found new footing by hosting Zelensky and backing a ceasefire initiative.
With attention from global powers intensifying, and with Zelensky’s truncated visit still resonating across diplomatic circles, South Africa may now have a pivotal role to play in the pursuit of peace in Eastern Europe.
