Zelensky to Visit South Africa for High-Stakes Peace Talk
Image source: IrishTimes
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently emphasized the shared commitment of South Africa and the United States to fostering peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. He expressed confidence that Pretoria and Washington could align their efforts to end the war, highlighting the intricate diplomatic ties between the two nations amidst rising tensions. These challenges have been exacerbated by recent events, including the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, signaling a deterioration in relations since Donald Trump resumed office in January.
In a significant diplomatic development, Ramaphosa’s office announced earlier this month that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit South Africa on April 10. This visit is part of ongoing discussions involving Ramaphosa, Zelensky, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at crafting an “inclusive peace process.” The anticipation surrounding this meeting is notable, as Ukraine has long sought an official invitation for a state visit from South Africa.
During a recent press briefing, Ramaphosa expressed his enthusiasm for hosting President Zelensky, stating, “President Zelensky is set to visit South Africa soon, and we’re looking forward to hosting him. Our aim in inviting President Zelensky here, in response to his request, is to reinforce the message of peace — we are committed to advancing that goal. The only way to address the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is through peaceful negotiations.” His comments underscored South Africa’s dedication to promoting dialogue and peace in the region.
Ramaphosa also conveyed his belief that former President Trump is delivering a similar message to Zelensky. He remarked, “That is the message we will share with President Zelensky, and we believe that President Trump and the United States are conveying the same message, so in this sense, we are united — we share the same goal.” This statement suggests that despite the complexities of international relations, there is significant agreement on the objective of achieving peace.
These remarks followed Trump’s announcement of his intention to discuss a US-backed proposal for a temporary 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine with President Putin on March 18. Trump is actively seeking Putin’s support for the plan, which reportedly received Zelensky’s approval last week. This comes amid reports of escalating military activity, including airstrikes, as Russian forces advance toward western Ukraine near the Kursk region, according to a Reuters report.
The Ukraine conflict also featured prominently during the 8th South Africa-European Union (EU) summit held in Cape Town last week. Following the summit, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, who led the EU delegation alongside EU Council President António Costa, shared insights into the discussions among leaders. These talks focused on strategies for achieving a ceasefire and negotiating a “true peace agreement” for Ukraine. Von der Leyen stated, “We had a very productive discussion about how we can together contribute to furthering the peace process. No one desires peace more than the people of Ukraine, and no one is more deserving of it than they are. Therefore, it was also a subject of discussion among us at the summit.”
At the same press conference, Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. He remarked, “While we have previously been labeled as biased, our involvement has demonstrated that we are impartial, and we have been urging both Ukraine and Russia to pursue a peaceful solution, and we will persist in doing so.” His comments aimed to reaffirm South Africa’s role as a mediator, emphasizing their dedication to fostering dialogue and understanding between the two nations in pursuit of lasting peace.
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