In an important diplomatic move, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that he will soon host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a State Visit.

This follows productive discussions between the two leaders, where they both reaffirmed their commitment to working toward an inclusive peace process to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Promoting Peaceful Dialogue Between Russia and Ukraine

Taking to social media on Friday, President Ramaphosa expressed his optimism about the progress made in their conversations.

He emphasized South Africa’s ongoing role in fostering dialogue between the warring nations.

“I welcome the constructive engagement I had with President @ZelenskyyUA [Zelenskyy] and I look forward to hosting him in South Africa soon for a state visit,” Ramaphosa shared on X.

“We both agreed on the urgent need for an inclusive peace process that involves all parties in finding a resolution to the conflict and securing a lasting peace.”

South Africa, according to Ramaphosa, remains firmly committed to supporting the ongoing dialogue between Russia and Ukraine as they seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

South Africa’s Ongoing Commitment to Peace

This announcement comes as South Africa continues to champion peaceful negotiations in the war that has persisted for nearly two years.

As a member of the BRICS bloc alongside Russia, South Africa has been walking a delicate diplomatic line, advocating for peace while maintaining strategic ties with Moscow.

Ramaphosa has been vocal about his country’s non-aligned position, continuously emphasizing that engaging diplomatically with both Russia and Ukraine is the most effective way to find a solution.

The African Peace Initiative and South Africa’s Role in Mediation

Earlier in 2023, President Ramaphosa was part of the African Peace Initiative, a mission aimed at mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

This initiative involved a delegation of African leaders, including the Presidents of Senegal, the Comoros, Zambia, and South Africa, as well as representatives from Egypt, the Republic of Congo, and Uganda.

During the mission, these leaders presented a ten-point proposal to address key issues in the conflict.

The goal was to promote dialogue, protect vital grain exports crucial to African nations, and explore ways to de-escalate the situation.

Balancing Criticism and Diplomatic Engagement

While South Africa has faced some criticism for its perceived closeness to Russia, President Ramaphosa has consistently defended the country’s stance.

He maintains that the best path toward peace lies in continued diplomatic engagement with both Russia and Ukraine, rather than choosing sides or pursuing military intervention.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn