Ramaphosa confident Zelensky’s visit to South Africa won’t strain US ties

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed confidence that the upcoming visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to South Africa will not exacerbate tensions with the United States.

Zelensky is scheduled to visit next month to continue discussions on the ongoing conflict with Russia, a situation that has had far-reaching international implications.

Ramaphosa’s comments come at a time when Ukraine’s relationship with the United States has been questioned, particularly following a heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Zelensky.

Despite these tensions, Ramaphosa emphasised that South Africa sees no indication that Zelensky’s visit would negatively affect the country’s diplomatic relations with the US.

He reaffirmed that South Africa’s position is one of neutrality, advocating for peace and diplomatic engagement.

“President Zelensky is due to come to South Africa soon and we looking forward to welcoming him. Now our objective in bringning president Zelensky here or responding to his request that he should come come, is that we want to enforce the message of peace, we want to enforce tht objective,” Ramaphosa said on Monday.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the Bana Pele Early Childhood Development Leadership Summit in Braamfontein, Gauteng, where he delivered the keynote address.

Ramaphosa further stressed that the sole focus of Zelensky’s visit would be the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and efforts to mediate peace.

“We’ve been saying the only way to resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict is through peaceful means and through peaceful negotiations. So that is the message that we will be passing on and we do believe that’s precisely the same message that President Trump and the United States have also been passing on to President Zelenksyy. So, in this we are united, and we have the same objective. So, I don’t see that causing any challenge or problem whatsoever,” he added.