Zelenskyy to meet with Ramaphosa to strengthen bilateral ties

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria later this morning on an official visit to the country.

The Presidency says the visit provides both countries with an opportunity to further bilateral cooperation and explore areas of cooperation with the objective of supporting efforts to bring about lasting peace in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The visit comes at a time when US President Donald Trump is again criticizing Zelenskyy over recent comments that Ukraine would not recognize Russia’s control over the illegally annexed territory of Crimea.

Zelenskyy’s trip to the southern tip of Africa comes after President Ramaphosa led an African peace delegation to Ukraine in 2023, while the two leaders have had additional in-person time on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in South Africa on an official visit. pic.twitter.com/i6HLLvGtZI

— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 23, 2025

While Zelenskyy has expressed an openness to direct negotiations with Russia once a ceasefire is in place, he was unequivocal that Ukraine would not legally recognize Russian control of Crimea – drawing the ire of the US President who called Zelenskyy’s statement “inflammatory” and making it difficult to settle the war.

Zelenskyy is due at the Union Buildings around 11am this morning, after which the two delegations will meet behind closed doors ahead of a joint press conference expected after 1pm South African time.

SA-Zelenskyy Visit | Cultural exchanges, Conflict resolutions and Economic ties: Thembisa Fakude