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IOL News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Minister Ronald Lamola reaffirms South Africa's diplomatic role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola highlights key talks between President Ramaphosa, Trump, and Putin, emphasizing South Africa's diplomatic efforts to promote peace and reset bilateral ties with the US. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has emphasised South Africa's continued diplomatic engagement in efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reaffirming the country's position as a mediator in global peace processes. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's separate telephonic discussions with United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as his hosting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Pretoria on Thursday. In an interview on Face the Nation, Lamola said: 'It was the first visit by the President of Ukraine, informed by the fact that by the Africa Peace Initiative visit that the President undertook to Ukraine and also to Russia, to place on the table the 10-point plan that came through the Africa Initiative.' He welcomed President Zelensky's indication of willingness to negotiate: 'He says he's ready to enter into negotiations with no conditions. It is a good step in the right direction.'
Daily Maverick
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Zelensky touches down at Lanseria on the first visit to SA by a Ukrainian head of state
He will meet President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday in Pretoria for official talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in South Africa early on Thursday, 24 April for official talks with President Cyrl Ramaphosa later in the day in Pretoria. Zelensky and his wife, First Lady Olena Zelenska, arrived at Lanseria Airport outside Johannesburg in the dark. He was greeted by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and other officials as well as Ukraine's ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova. A military guard lined the red carpet as Zelensky stepped onto South African soil for the first time. It is also his first visit as president to Africa. Zelensky was scheduled to arrive at the Union Buildings in Pretoria at 11am for his official meeting with Ramaphosa. Read more: War in Ukraine The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said this first visit by a Ukrainian head of state to South Africa 'follows on the visit to Ukraine by President Ramaphosa, as part of the Africa Peace Initiative to Ukraine on 16 June 2023'. 'The visit provides South Africa and Ukraine with an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, agriculture and education. It will also explore areas of cooperation with the objective to support efforts to bring lasting peace.' It is understood that South African agricultural organisations are keen to make deals to import Ukrainian agricultural produce including wheat and fertiliser. Other areas of cooperation might include digital governance. Apart from the African Peace Initiative which Dirco referred to, South Africa has been participating in Zelensky's own international peace formula talks and also agreed in 2024 to contribute to negotiations for the return of Ukrainian children abducted and deported to Russia during Russia's occupation of eastern and southern Ukraine. Zelensky arrives in South Africa at a moment when US President Donald Trump is putting pressure on him to accept a peace deal with Russia that would require Ukraine to give up the large swathes of its territory occupied by Russia and to abandon its ambitions to join Nato. Zelensky rejected the US plan flatly. 'There is nothing to talk about,' Zelensky said. 'This violated our constitution. This is our territory, the territory of Ukraine.' Trump retorted on social media that the Ukrainian president was being 'inflammatory' and said he would only 'prolong the 'killing field'. Ramaphosa and Zelensky will have a joint press conference after their meeting on Thursday morning. Zelensky is then expected to meet members of the Ukrainian community in South Africa and will brief South African and African journalists this afternoon. DM
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The South African
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Zelensky in SA – MK Party not happy! [video]
Watch the full version of the ' Zelensky lands in South Africa, MK Party to protest against visit' article – in a minute. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has landed in South Africa for his first official visit. Zelensky landed on Wednesday, 23 April, and he was welcomed by the Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola. President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to host him at the Union Buildings in South Africa's capital city on Thursday, 24 April. This marks the first visit by a Ukrainian leader to South Africa, signalling a deepening of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. This historic visit follows Ramaphosa's trip to Ukraine on 16 June 2023, as part of the Africa Peace Initiative. For the latest political news, bookmark The South African website's dedicated section for free-to-read content Zelensky's visit has been met with mixed reactions as South Africa's opposition party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party plans to protest against his visit at the Union Buildings on Thursday morning. The Jacob Zuma-led party said the Ukrainian leader is a NATO puppet and is not welcome in South Africa. Looking for quick updates? Watch News in a Minute videos on The South African's YouTube page for all the key stories you need to know! Catch all the latest videos on news, lifestyle, travel, sports and more – there's always something to watch! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky to stay connected and get your news on the go!
The South African
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Zelensky lands in South Africa, MK Party to protest against visit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has landed in South Africa for his official visit. Zelensky landed on Wednesday, 23 April and was welcomed by the Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola and President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to host him at the Union Buildings in South Africa's capita city on Thursday, 24 April. This marks the first visit by a Ukrainian leader to South Africa, signalling a deepening of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. This historic visit follows Ramaphosa's trip to Ukraine on 16 June 2023, as part of the Africa Peace Initiative. Zelensky's visit has been met with mixed reactions as South Africa's opposition party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party plans to protest against his visit at the Union Buildings on Thursday morning. The Jacob Zuma-led party said the Ukrainian leader is a NATO puppet and is not welcome in South Africa. Upon landing, Zelensky took to X (formerly Twitter) to say he is preparing for important meetings in South Africa with President Cyril Ramaphosa and representatives of political, civil, and student communities of African countries. 'It is crucial to bring a just peace closer. We are working to ensure that the G20 countries are actively engaged in diplomatic efforts. We count on South Africa's meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. We will also certainly strengthen our cultural and educational ties,' he posted on X. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
President Ramaphosa to host Ukraine's Zelenskyy for historic bilateral talks
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Pretoria on Thursday. Image: File Discussions around bilateral relations and expanding bilateral cooperation, and the exploration of cooperation in support of efforts to build lasting peace, will be on the agenda when President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on an official visit to South Africa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday. According to the South African Presidency, Zelenskyy's visit will be the first by a Ukrainian head of state to South Africa. On June 16, 2023, Ramaphosa visited Ukraine as part of the Africa Peace Initiative to Ukraine. The presidency said the visit will allow South Africa and Ukraine to discuss bilateral relations and expand bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, and education, and explore areas of cooperation in support of efforts to build lasting peace. However, in a recent parliamentary question, ActionSA's Athol Trollip asked Ramaphosa about the role the government sees for itself in current or future peace processes between Russia and Ukraine, given Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, how the visit aligns with South Africa's long-standing position of non-alignment, and the outcomes the government aims to achieve through these engagements. Responding, Ramaphosa said Zelenskyy would be in the country to pay a working visit to South Africa. The working visit will focus on strengthening bilateral relations through political engagement and identifying new areas of cooperation. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures next to South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa as they address media after their talks in Kyiv in June 2023. Image: Sergei Supinsky/ AFP Ramaphosa said South Africa continues to encourage all the parties to strengthen all diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, and to work towards an inclusive, sustainable and peaceful solution based on cooperation and dialogue. 'Given our history, South Africa believes that diplomacy and dialogue remain the only path to a sustainable and peaceful resolution of the conflict. South Africa continues to maintain the position that this conflict should be settled through negotiation and by diplomatic means. South Africa is a participant in the Africa Peace Initiative, which has enabled our country to engage both sides of the conflict,' Ramaphosa said. On Thursday, Ramaphosa is expected to receive Zelenskyy at the Union Buildings, followed by a closed session of official talks between the presidents before they brief the media.
