Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine from South Africa from South Africa meets to confront Russia

Ukrainyr Zelensky President Volodeyr Zelensky has ended a historic visit to South Africa, indicating a significant improvement in the ties that were once between the two countries.

The visit reached a diplomatic breakthrough for the Ukrainian leader in his efforts to confront Russia’s strong and increasing influence in Africa.

“I am sure that Russia will get up to the visit, but I don’t think it can do a lot about it,” said Stephen Grozd of the South African Institute for International Relations.

But Russia has disrupted Zelinski’s visit by making an air strike on the capital of Ukraine Kiev, forcing him to announce the shortening of the trip by returning home as soon as President Cyril Ramavusa interviewed.

The leader of South Africa said that the visit “confirmed” again the bonds between the two countries, noting that Zelinski’s visit was the first in 33 years by the Ukrainian head of state.

Regardless of a short stop in Cape Verdi in 2023 while traveling to Argentina, this was Zelinski’s first visit to Africa since he became president of Ukraine in 2019.

Ukraine realized the diplomatic importance of African countries, when many of them – including the regional power of South Africa – refused to condemn Russia on a large scale of its territory in 2022.

“Ukraine has neglected the continent in terms of foreign policy, but it has changed over the past three years, doubling its embassies from 10 to 20.”

“But it is in a very crowded place – Russia, China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates all try to increase its influence in Africa.”

Zelinski’s visit to South Africa at this stage was particularly important, as Ukraine’s relationship with the United States – the main supplier of weapons – has been strained since President Donald Trump took office in January.

He stopped military aid for a short period, and it was from Zelenxi as a “dictator”, and accused Ukraine of being responsible for the war.

“Ukraine needs every part of the legitimacy that it can obtain internationally – not only in Europe. Wars are not just in the battlefield, but also in public opinion courts all over the world,” said Professor Sebhamingla Zondi, political analyst at the University of Johannesburg.

For South African President Cyril Ramavusa, the visit was equally important, as his country was also under severe pressure from the Trump administration.

“The United States has turned into diplomacy on its head,” said Mr. Gods. “Everyone is looking for new friends.”

Ramavusa saw Zelinsky’s visit as an attempt to enhance his credentials as a peacemaker, saying that their talks focused on the efforts made to reach “a comprehensive peace”.

South African leader also had a phone conversation with Putin before Zelinski’s visit.

“We have confirmed both strong bilateral relations between our countries.” Ramavusa said in a post on X.

He added: “We have also committed to work together for a peaceful solution to the conflict of Russia, Ukraine.”

Ramavusa first tried to take over the role of the peacemaker in 2023 when he led a delegation of African leaders to both Kiev and Moscow in an attempt to mediate at the end of the conflict.

This initiative came at a time when South Africa faced a violent reaction from the administration of the then President of the United States, Joe Biden, who questioned its stated neutrality in the conflict after it held a naval exercise with Russia and China.

Relationships worsened after Washington was preceded at the time to Pretoria South Africa was accused of providing weapons and ammunition to Russia.

Ramavusa later appointed an investigation led by the judge to investigate the prosecution. You did not find any evidence that supports the ambassador’s claim, but the relations between South Africa and the administration of Biden remained tense.

South Africa’s relations with Russia were not a painful point for Trump, because he also corresponds to Putin and was pushing Zelinski to conclude a deal with the Russian leader.

However, Trump’s relationship with South Africa has reached the bottom because of its genocide against Israel in the ICJ and what he called “unfair and immoral practices” against the White Society of African – a claim that denies the Ramavusa government.

Professor Zondi said that South Africa should ensure that Ramavusa’s talks with Zelinski had not hurt her attempts to reform relations with the Trump administration.

“South Africa will want to explain that it adds to the efforts made to build peace, and its role is not in competition with the (The),” he added.

Ramavusa was in braid, and announced on Thursday that he had spoken to Trump about the conflict in Ukraine.

It is important, Ramavusa seized the opportunity to discuss relations between South Africa and the United States, and said that he and Trump agreed to meet soon.

This will be his first meeting since Trump’s return to his post, and Ramavusa will hope that the United States will return to South Africa to the right track.

Earlier this month, Trump announced a 30 % tariff on South Africa goods, although he later stopped increasing 90 days.

Ramavusa hopes that their talks will reduce Trump, because this high tariff will be a major blow to the economy of South Africa.

The Ramaphosa conversations with Zelensky also focused on strengthening trade relations with Ukraine, as the economy in South Africa was in a crisis, with low growth and high unemployment.

Professor Zondi said: “Any folder of trade, regardless of its small size, is crucial for South Africa,” adding that the strong relations between the two countries can also benefit Ukraine in its efforts to expand its impact on the continent.

Professor Zondi said: “South Africa can be the Gate of Ukraine to Africa because of its ports and financial systems,” said Professor Zondi.

If this happens, this will indicate a new chapter in Ukraine’s African relations, but not necessarily at the expense of Russia.

“Both Russia and Ukraine are the largest exporters of grain for Africa,” the analyst said.