The Presidency has officially confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will undertake a working visit to South Africa on 24 April.
While the specific agenda for Zelensky’s upcoming visit to Pretoria has not yet been made public, it is anticipated that discussions with President Cyril Ramaphosa will focus prominently on the ongoing conflict resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
President Ramaphosa has been actively involved in mediation efforts, leading the African Peace Initiative, a coalition of African leaders working to facilitate a peaceful resolution between Ukraine and Russia.
However, Zelensky’s visit has sparked criticism domestically. Both the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the South African Communist Party have condemned the invitation, arguing that it undermines South Africa’s declared position of neutrality regarding the conflict.
