Zelenskiy visits South Africa, seeks peace talks amid Ukraine-Russia war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa for his first official visit, meeting President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss bilateral cooperation and efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic ties and encouraging South Africa's participation in international coalitions, particularly regarding the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of bringing a just peace closer and engaging G20 nations in diplomatic efforts. South Africa, while maintaining friendly relations with Russia, has remained neutral in the conflict, and its support for peace initiatives, including those proposed by China and Brazil, is notable. Ukraine has intensified its outreach to African nations, aiming to raise awareness about the war's impact on global food security and to garner broader international support. This visit continues Kyiv’s broader diplomatic campaign to involve the Global South in seeking a resolution to the conflict.