South Africa, Ukraine Discuss Bilateral Ties Amid Ongoing Conflict

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Pretoria on Thursday, pledging support for diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war while exploring expanded cooperation in agriculture, trade, and energy.

The meeting marked Zelensky’s first visit to Africa since the conflict began in 2022 and underscored South Africa’s delicate balancing act as it maintains non-aligned foreign policy ties with both Kyiv and Moscow.

Ramaphosa said the closed-door talks focused on deepening bilateral relations, with both nations identifying agriculture, infrastructure development, education, and social exchanges as priority areas. “South Africa remains deeply concerned about the devastating humanitarian consequences of this conflict,” Ramaphosa told reporters, reiterating his government’s stance that peace can only be achieved through “inclusive dialogue” anchored in the United Nations Charter. He confirmed separate phone discussions this week with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to advocate for negotiations.

Zelensky, meanwhile, emphasized Ukraine’s openness to a “comprehensive ceasefire” but accused Russia of undermining progress through continued attacks on civilian infrastructure. “We are ready to work with South Africa not only on peace but also on practical projects in security, energy, and agriculture,” he said, without detailing specific proposals.

The talks build on Ramaphosa’s 2023 peace mission, when he led a delegation of African leaders to Kyiv and Saint Petersburg to propose a 10-point plan that included de-escalation and humanitarian corridors. While the initiative yielded no breakthroughs, it positioned South Africa as a rare intermediary with access to both sides. Pretoria has faced criticism for its refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion outright, a stance linked to historical ties dating back to the Soviet Union’s support for anti-apartheid movements.

South Africa’s neutral posture contrasts with most Western nations, but Ramaphosa has consistently emphasized multilateralism over alignment with geopolitical blocs. The country’s agricultural and mining sectors could benefit from expanded trade with Ukraine, which seeks alternative export routes and investment partners amid war-related disruptions. However, Pretoria’s capacity to influence the conflict remains limited, with Moscow dismissing previous African-led mediation attempts as biased toward Western interests.

As global divisions over the war persist, South Africa’s engagement reflects a broader trend of non-Western nations advocating for negotiated settlements while pursuing pragmatic economic partnerships. With Ukraine aiming to strengthen ties in the Global South and Russia consolidating alliances in Africa, Pretoria’s diplomatic maneuvering highlights the challenges of navigating a fractured international order. For now, Ramaphosa’s overtures signal intent rather than actionable progress, leaving the path to peace as fraught as ever.