South Africa’s President Shows Support for Ukraine with Ceasefire Push
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, endorsing an unconditional ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This comes after Ramaphosa’s discussions with US President Donald Trump. The meeting signifies a shift in Pretoria’s traditionally neutral stance. Zelensky emphasized unity in global efforts to pressure Russia and laid out aspirations for strengthening ties with South Africa.
On April 24, 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Pretoria. Ramaphosa commended Zelensky for agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia, characterizing it as a crucial step towards initiating peace talks. He emphasized that this gesture from Zelensky serves as a confidence-building measure necessary for negotiations.
The discussions took place just hours after Ramaphosa spoke with US President Donald Trump, underscoring a common belief that the war necessitates an immediate resolution to prevent additional casualties. The South African president indicated, “The war should be brought to an end as soon as possible to stop further unnecessary deaths.” He asserted that he is ready to assist in multilateral peace efforts in Ukraine.
Despite this newfound engagement with Ukraine, Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s historical ties with Russia, noting his recent conversation with President Vladimir Putin. He expressed commitment towards working collaboratively for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine turmoil. Furthermore, he highlighted that both nations should pursue a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire to facilitate negotiations.
Zelensky expressed hope that South Africa’s support would influence Russia positively, urging that the international community must be unified in its efforts to pressure the Russian government. He also conveyed to Ramaphosa a list of 400 Ukrainian children allegedly held in Russia, seeking assistance for their return. Moreover, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to bolster relations with South Africa, particularly in areas like energy security and fertilizer production.
Zelensky’s trip to South Africa was somewhat overshadowed by dire news from Kyiv, which suffered a deadly strike hours after his arrival. Notably, Ramaphosa’s invitation to Zelensky has been interpreted as a shift in South Africa’s traditionally neutral stance regarding the war, as the nation recently condemned Russia in a UN resolution for the first time.
Historically, South Africa has attempted to position itself as a mediator between conflicting parties, drawing on its own experience transitioning from apartheid. Ramaphosa remarked, “The negotiations that brought an end to the nightmare of apartheid were held on a no-precondition basis,” and called for similar approaches in the Ukraine conflict. He acknowledged Ukraine’s recent efforts in building relationships with Africa, as Russian influence continues to expand across the continent, in part due to its isolation from the West.
In summary, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky marks a significant moment in South Africa’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The discussions addressed the urgent need for a ceasefire and opened avenues for potential peace dialogues. Despite maintaining ties with Russia, South Africa appears now more inclined to support Ukraine, demonstrating a shift toward a more active role in international diplomacy. Both leaders are optimistic that this engagement could foster broader peace efforts and facilitate cooperation across various sectors.
Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
