Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will visit South Africa on April 10 to discuss peace talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This visit is part of Ramaphosa’s initiatives to mediate between Ukraine and Russia. South Africa maintains a neutral position in the conflict, calling for inclusive peace negotiations involving Ukraine.
South Africa has announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit in April for discussions aimed at establishing a “path to peace” with Russia. The meeting is to take place on April 10, where Zelenskyy will engage with South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa. This visit is part of Ramaphosa’s ongoing efforts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia in pursuit of an inclusive peace process.
Ramaphosa’s administration has maintained a neutral stance in the conflict and has attempted to facilitate dialogue, albeit with limited success so far. Earlier in 2023, he led an African peace mission to both Russia and Ukraine, speaking directly with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has continued to engage both leaders through separate phone calls since those meetings.
Despite South Africa’s connections to Russia via its membership in the BRICS group of developing nations, Ramaphosa is keen to utilize this relationship to promote further discussions. Recently, Zelenskyy has been aiming to secure more international support after a challenging meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, who suspended military aid to Ukraine, pushing for an end to the conflict.
The importance of including Ukrainian perspectives in peace negotiations has been reiterated by South Africa, aligning with sentiments expressed by European leaders. In addition to the upcoming talks with Zelenskyy, Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa at an EU-South Africa summit in Cape Town next week. With South Africa presiding over the G20 this year, Ramaphosa calls for collaboration among the member nations, which include significant world powers, to help bring about an end to the war in Ukraine.
The visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to South Africa in April represents a significant step in the country’s diplomatic efforts to mediate peace between Ukraine and Russia. Ramaphosa’s neutral stance and previous engagements showcase South Africa’s ambition to be a facilitator of dialogue. As both sides seek to navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict, the inclusion of Ukraine in peace discussions will be pivotal for achieving lasting resolutions.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
