Ukrainian President to Advance Peace Talks Despite Local Opposition and Diplomatic TensionsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will arrive in South Africa on Thursday, 24 April 2025, for a state visit hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria. The visit aims to bolster South Africa’s neutral role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, building on the African Peace Initiative of 2023. However, tensions are already mounting, with protests planned by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, led by Floyd Shivambu, accusing Zelensky of being a NATO “puppet.”
The protests, also supported by the South African Communist Party (SACP), are centered around criticism of Ukraine’s delayed elections and concerns over Zelensky’s legitimacy. The MK Party’s demonstration adds to the growing dissent regarding South Africa’s alignment with Western interests. Both the MK and SACP argue that the visit signals an undue shift toward pro-Western positions, despite South Africa’s longstanding policy of neutrality.
The visit was initially scheduled for 10 April but had to be postponed due to Zelensky’s packed international schedule. This visit follows growing diplomatic strains between Ukraine and the U.S. after President Donald Trump froze military aid to Kyiv and excluded Ukraine from key peace talks, further complicating Zelensky’s foreign relations.
South Africa’s invitation to Zelensky, despite local opposition, is seen as a strategic move to secure international support for Ukraine and maintain its position as a peace mediator in the region. While the full details of the visit remain under wraps to avoid disruptions, it’s anticipated that talks between the two leaders will focus heavily on facilitating dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow, aiming for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war.
As the world watches, Zelensky’s South African visit is poised to have lasting diplomatic ramifications, with protesters on the ground questioning whether this visit is a step toward meaningful peace or a sign of shifting allegiances in the global political arena.
