Diplomatic Inside
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in South Africa on Thursday, in what will be the first official visit by a Ukrainian Head of State to the country. The highly anticipated visit comes at a crucial time in global geopolitics and reflects Pretoria’s expanding role in international peace diplomacy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially welcome President Zelenskyy at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where the two leaders are scheduled to hold bilateral discussions aimed at bolstering cooperation and fostering dialogue around the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The visit follows Ramaphosa’s own trip to Kyiv in June 2023, part of the Africa Peace Initiative—a multilateral effort led by African heads of state to mediate in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Thursday’s meeting is expected to solidify South Africa’s commitment to non-aligned diplomacy while also opening doors to enhanced trade, agricultural exchange, and educational partnerships between the two nations.
Deepening Diplomatic and Economic Ties
According to South African officials, the talks will explore new avenues of economic collaboration, including opportunities in agriculture, investment, and higher education. With both countries navigating challenging geopolitical landscapes, the visit underscores a mutual interest in developing diversified international partnerships beyond traditional alliances.
Programme Highlights
The official programme for the state visit is as follows:
- 08:00 AM – Media Accreditation Opens (Glass Doors, Union Buildings)
- 11:00 AM – Official Welcome Ceremony for President Zelenskyy
- 12:00 PM – Closed-Door Talks between Presidents Ramaphosa and Zelenskyy
- 01:15 PM – Joint Media Briefing
Programme times are provisional and subject to change.
Strict accreditation requirements are in place for journalists covering the visit, with government officials emphasizing the need for security and logistical coordination.
Controversy and Opposition
Despite the diplomatic significance of the visit, not all voices in South Africa are welcoming. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has announced plans to stage protests, accusing President Ramaphosa of aligning the country with NATO interests by hosting Zelenskyy.
MK Party Secretary General Floyd Shivambu criticized the visit at a recent media briefing, stating, “Zelenskyy is widely discredited among progressive and non-aligned nations. This invitation undermines South Africa’s historical position of non-alignment and resistance to imperialism.”
Shivambu further accused Zelenskyy of acting as a “puppet leader” in service of Western powers, particularly NATO. The MK Party has vowed to mobilize demonstrations in protest of the visit.
Regional and Global Implications
Just days before Zelenskyy’s scheduled arrival, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with President Ramaphosa. The Kremlin reported that Putin reiterated Moscow’s position on addressing the “root causes” of the Ukraine war and safeguarding Russia’s security interests.
The Russian Embassy in South Africa confirmed that both leaders also discussed deepening bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Putin extended his best wishes to the South African people ahead of Freedom Day on 27 April and affirmed continued diplomatic engagement with Pretoria.
Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Push for Peace
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian presidency, Vincent Magwenya, emphasized that the visit is part of Kyiv’s “ongoing engagements to find peace between Russia and Ukraine.” Zelenskyy has continued his global outreach campaign to garner support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and promote peaceful resolutions to the conflict.
A Diplomatic Crossroads
President Zelenskyy’s visit marks a milestone in South Africa-Ukraine relations and comes at a time when Pretoria is increasingly seen as a credible voice in international mediation efforts. While domestic dissent threatens to overshadow the visit, it also reflects South Africa’s vibrant democratic space, where foreign policy choices are rigorously debated.
As Pretoria prepares to host one of the most high-profile diplomatic engagements of the year, all eyes will be on the outcome of Thursday’s closed-door talks—a moment that may shape not only bilateral relations but broader efforts to end the war in Ukraine.