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Zelenskyy Arrives in South Africa for High-Level Talks on Peace

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Vlad Litnarovych
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Zelenskyy Arrives in South Africa for High-Level Talks on Peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in South Africa for negotiations, April 24, 2025. (Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy/X)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa for high-level talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa and representatives from across the African continent, Zelenskyy wrote on X on April 24.

“We are preparing for important meetings in South Africa with President Cyril Ramaphosa and representatives of political, civil, and student communities of African countries. It is crucial to bring a just peace closer. We are working to ensure that the G20 countries are actively engaged in diplomatic efforts,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He added that Ukraine counts on South Africa’s meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, and added that this meeting will also strengthen cultural and educational ties between the two countries.

South Africa, the continent’s largest economy and current G20 chair, has taken a neutral stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine while strengthening its political and economic ties with the Kremlin.

The country is a member of the BRICS bloc alongside Russia and China and has conducted joint naval exercises with both countries, despite pressure from Western governments to distance itself from Moscow.

On April 23, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced that a Ukrainian delegation of ministers and business leaders had just completed the first-ever official visit to South Africa.

“Our trade relations with this region have enormous potential for development,” Svyrydenko said.

“Last year, the total volume of bilateral trade in goods between Ukraine and South Africa amounted to $113.9 million.” She acknowledged that the figure remains modest, but noted that South African imports make up “the lion’s share” of the trade volume.

Earlier, reports emerged that the Kremlin was systematically restoring a network of airbases in Libya to support Russian military operations across Africa, including activities involving the so-called “African Corps” of the Russian Defense Ministry.

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