South Africa Calls For Inclusive Talks To End Russia-Ukraine War As Zelensky Prepares Visit.
South Africa has reiterated its stance that any negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine must involve all relevant parties, as President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares for a state visit to discuss the matter.
President Cyril Ramaphosa extended an invitation to Zelensky following criticism of separate negotiation efforts led by Russia and the United States, which did not include Ukraine or its European allies.
The ongoing war was a central topic at South Africa’s inaugural G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, which concluded on Friday. However, the event was overshadowed by the absence of top US diplomat Marco Rubio, who has accused Pretoria of promoting an “anti-American” agenda.
Zelensky’s visit is expected “soon”, according to Ramaphosa, though no official date has been set. In a post on social media, the South African leader stated that he and Zelensky had agreed on “the urgent need for an inclusive peace process that involves all parties.”
“South Africa remains committed to supporting the dialogue process between Russia and Ukraine,” Ramaphosa said.
In response, Zelensky expressed appreciation for South Africa’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“It is important that our countries share the same position: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. We all hope to achieve a just and lasting peace this year. South Africa’s voice matters, and we count on its support,” the Ukrainian president wrote on X.
While South Africa has maintained a neutral stance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has faced accusations of aligning with Moscow. Ramaphosa recently held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other key international diplomats during the G20 meeting.
Despite speculation of a diplomatic rift, South African officials insisted that the United States had not boycotted the event, pointing out that a deputy chief of mission from the US embassy was present. However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced he will also skip the upcoming G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Cape Town.
‘Robust’ Discussions at G20
As the first African nation to hold the G20 presidency, South Africa presided over two days of what Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola described as “extremely robust” discussions.
The meeting acknowledged the impact of “widening geopolitical divisions” on global trust, which Lamola warned could reverse progress on pressing issues such as poverty, climate change, pandemics, nuclear proliferation, and armed conflicts.
Delegates agreed to support efforts for a “just peace” in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other conflict zones. They also reaffirmed the need for all parties to comply with international humanitarian and human rights laws.
Ramaphosa, opening the session on Thursday, called for greater cooperation amid growing geopolitical tensions.
“It is critical that the principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism, and international law remain at the centre of all our endeavours. It should be the glue that keeps us together,” he stated.
As global diplomatic tensions persist, South Africa’s role in promoting peace and inclusive negotiations will remain under close scrutiny in the coming months.
