South Africa and Ukraine woo each other - as relationships with Trump turn sour

On April 24, 2025, a significant diplomatic event took place in Pretoria, South Africa, where President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. This meeting marked a notable improvement in the previously strained relations between South Africa and Ukraine. Zelensky's visit was particularly historic as it was the first time in 33 years that a Ukrainian leader had visited South Africa. Additionally, it was Zelensky's first trip to Africa since he took office in 2019. The meeting was crucial for both leaders as they sought to strengthen their countries' ties and discuss ways to collaborate on various issues. Zelensky's visit came at a time when Ukraine was looking to enhance its diplomatic relationships with African nations, especially since many of these countries had refrained from condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Steven Gruzd, an expert from the South African Institute of International Relations, noted that Russia would likely be displeased with this visit, but there was little it could do to counteract the growing relationship between South Africa and Ukraine. However, the visit was overshadowed by a significant event, as Russia conducted an air strike on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, during Zelensky's time in South Africa. This prompted Zelensky to cut his trip short and return home immediately after his meeting with Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa emphasized that the visit had reaffirmed the bonds between the two nations and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The war has caused immense suffering and destruction, and both leaders were eager to explore avenues for peace. Ramaphosa had previously attempted to mediate peace talks in 2023 by leading a delegation of African leaders to both Kyiv and Moscow. This initiative came at a time when South Africa faced criticism from the United States, particularly under President Trump, who had paused military aid to Ukraine and made negative remarks about Zelensky. The meeting between Ramaphosa and Zelensky was also significant for South Africa, as the country was under pressure from the Trump administration. Gruzd pointed out that the US had shifted its diplomatic approach, leading many countries to seek new alliances. Ramaphosa's discussions with Zelensky were aimed at reinforcing South Africa's role as a peacemaker while also addressing its relationship with the US. He had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin before Zelensky's visit, affirming the strong bilateral relations between their countries and committing to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Ramaphosa's efforts to mediate peace were met with skepticism from the US, especially after South Africa conducted a naval exercise with Russia and China. The Biden administration questioned South Africa's neutrality in the conflict, leading to strained relations. Despite this, Ramaphosa's ties with Russia did not seem to concern Trump, who had his own issues with South Africa, particularly regarding its stance on Israel and the treatment of the Afrikaner community. Political analyst Prof. Siphamandla Zondi emphasized that South Africa needed to ensure that its talks with Zelensky did not harm its attempts to improve relations with the Trump administration. Ramaphosa was proactive in addressing this by announcing that he had spoken with Trump about the Ukraine conflict and their upcoming meeting. This would be their first meeting since Trump returned to office, and Ramaphosa hoped it would help mend US-South Africa relations. Earlier in the month, Trump had announced a 30% tariff on South African goods, which could have severe consequences for South Africa's economy. Ramaphosa was optimistic that their discussions would lead to a reduction in these tariffs. The talks between Ramaphosa and Zelensky also focused on enhancing trade relations between South Africa and Ukraine. With South Africa's economy facing challenges such as low growth and high unemployment, any increase in trade would be beneficial. Zondi noted that strong relations between the two nations could also assist Ukraine in expanding its influence in Africa. South Africa's strategic position, with its ports and financial systems, could serve as a gateway for Ukraine to access the African market. This development could signify a new chapter in Ukraine-Africa relations, but it would not necessarily come at the expense of Russia. Both Russia and Ukraine are significant suppliers of food to Africa, and the continent requires both nations to meet its needs. The meeting between Ramaphosa and Zelensky was a crucial step towards fostering a better future for both countries.