Zelenskyy Makes Historic Visit to South Africa, Cuts Trip Short After Russian Strikes on Kyiv

|Published 9:40 AM ET, Friday April 25, 2025|

Pretoria — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a landmark visit to South Africa on Thursday, marking his first official trip to the African continent since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war. The diplomatic mission, aimed at rallying international support and advancing peace efforts, was cut short following a deadly wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv.

The visit came amid a renewed push by Ukraine to strengthen ties with the Global South and counter narratives backed by Moscow. President Zelenskyy was welcomed in Pretoria by his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa. Their talks focused on potential frameworks for ending the war, regional partnerships, and humanitarian support.

President Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s position that peace negotiations should not be contingent on preconditions — a stance aligned with Pretoria’s long-standing diplomatic neutrality. “As we have seen in our own history, lasting peace is achieved through unconditional dialogue,” Ramaphosa said during a joint press conference.

Zelenskyy, however, held firm on Ukraine’s position, stating that any peace agreement must include a full Russian withdrawal and cannot involve territorial concessions. He dismissed suggestions of accepting Crimea as Russian territory, a key element in some proposed peace plans. “There can be no peace that legitimizes occupation,” he said.

The visit was overshadowed by news from Kyiv, where a series of Russian airstrikes killed at least nine people and injured over 70. The attack forced President Zelenskyy to immediately cut short his visit and return to Ukraine.

Global reactions quickly followed. U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Zelenskyy for rejecting peace plans that included ceding Crimea, while urging Russia to de-escalate. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed continued openness to negotiations, although under terms that Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

President Ramaphosa held separate calls with both leaders after Zelenskyy’s departure, signaling South Africa’s interest in playing a mediator role in the broader conflict.

Despite its abrupt end, the visit was seen as a symbolic milestone in Ukraine’s outreach to Africa, a region where Russia has long maintained deep political and military ties.

As the conflict in Eastern Europe continues with no clear resolution in sight, Zelenskyy’s African diplomacy highlights the growing importance of the Global South in shaping international consensus on peace and security.