President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that he has extended an official invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a state visit to South Africa. The announcement was made by Ramaphosa on Thursday morning through his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter).
In his message, Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation for the constructive conversations he had with President Zelenskyy. The two leaders discussed the importance of an inclusive peace process that brings all parties together to resolve the ongoing conflict and secure lasting peace. Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to supporting dialogue efforts between Russia and Ukraine.
Though the specific date of the visit has yet to be announced, it was revealed that the formal invitation was extended to Zelenskyy on January 15, 2025. Further discussions took place when Ramaphosa and Zelenskyy met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September and during the World Economic Forum in Davos in November. Zelenskyy, in turn, confirmed the state visit on his official X account. He thanked South Africa for its unwavering support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified stance that involves Ukraine in discussions about its future.
Zelenskyy expressed hope for a just and lasting peace in 2025, reflecting the shared commitment to the cause. He added that South Africa’s voice is crucial in international negotiations and that Ukraine is counting on the country’s support.
This confirmation of the state visit comes after Ramaphosa’s participation in the Group 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers’ meeting earlier this week, where he advocated for diplomatic solutions to various global conflicts, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Ramaphosa also welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, describing it as a crucial step toward addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
At the G20 meeting, Ramaphosa stressed the need for an inclusive, coordinated approach to the world’s interconnected challenges, including geopolitical tensions, climate change, and global instability. He called on G20 nations to unite and work together through diplomatic dialogue.
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have voiced concerns about South Africa’s engagement with Zelenskyy. EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini urged the government to maintain its focus on domestic issues, warning that paying attention to figures like Zelenskyy could distract South Africa from its own priorities. He further criticized Zelenskyy, calling him a public relations tool for NATO and questioning the value of engaging with him.
