Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a historic first visit to South Africa, meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The visit marked the first official trip by a Ukrainian Head of State to South Africa and followed President Ramaphosa’s June 2023 visit to Ukraine as part of the Africa Peace Initiative.
President Ramaphosa welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart with a ceremonial handshake and brief photo session on the steps of the Union Buildings before heading into closed-door discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. The two leaders were expected to explore opportunities in trade, agriculture, and education, as well as avenues for supporting global peace efforts.
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However, President Zelenskyy announced that he would cut his visit short due to a major overnight attack on the Ukrainian capital. The strike killed at least nine people and injured more than 70, prompting the Ukrainian leader to return home immediately after he met with Ramaphosa.
“After our important meeting in South Africa, I will return to Kyiv to coordinate response efforts following the Russian attack,” Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel.
His trip also came amid renewed international debate over the ongoing war in Ukraine. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, in recent comments, accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the conflict by refusing to consider territorial concessions, including Crimea, in any peace negotiations. Zelenskyy has remained firm in rejecting any deal that would legitimize Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory.
Despite the shortened visit, Thursday’s meeting marked a significant diplomatic engagement between South Africa and Ukraine, with both countries expressing interest in deepening relations and working together toward a lasting peace.
