South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been officially invited for a state visit to South Africa.
Ramaphosa made the announcement on social media, expressing eagerness to host Zelenskyy and continue their discussions on peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“I look forward to hosting him in South Africa soon for a state visit,” Ramaphosa wrote on X (formerly Twitter), following their previous conversations.
The leaders discussed the importance of an inclusive peace process that involves all parties to address the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s dedication to facilitating dialogue between the conflicting nations, adding, “South Africa remains committed to supporting the dialogue process between Russia and Ukraine.”
Although the visit’s date has not been set, the invitation follows a series of engagements, including the United Nations General Assembly in September and the World Economic Forum in Davos in November.
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Zelenskyy echoed Ramaphosa’s sentiments, thanking the South African leader for supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He emphasized that any peace process must include Ukraine’s direct involvement, stating, “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. We all hope to achieve a just and lasting peace this year.”
Ramaphosa’s invitation to Zelenskyy comes after his calls for diplomatic solutions to global conflicts during the recent G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
At the meeting in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa stressed the importance of resolving conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, through inclusive dialogue.
He also supported the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, viewing it as a critical step in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
However, the invitation has faced criticism. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party voiced concerns, warning against distraction from broader global issues.
EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini dismissed Zelenskyy as a NATO-backed figure, arguing that entertaining such individuals might divert attention from other pressing matters.
