Ramaphosa Speaks with Putin Ahead of Zelensky’s Visit to South Africa

Pretoria — April 21, 2025 — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin just days before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to arrive in Pretoria for a high-profile diplomatic visit on Thursday, April 24.

According to a statement released by the Kremlin, President Putin used the call to outline Russia’s conditions for a potential peace settlement in the ongoing war with Ukraine a conflict that has gripped the global stage for over two years. The Kremlin emphasized that Russia remains open to negotiations but under specific terms that Kyiv has so far rejected.

President Ramaphosa confirmed the conversation later in the day. However, when pressed by reporters, his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, declined to reveal who initiated the call or whether Ukraine had been informed in advance of the discussion.

The timing of the phone call is particularly significant, as South Africa seeks to position itself as a potential mediator in the conflict. Ramaphosa has previously advocated for a diplomatic solution and participated in multilateral efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions between Moscow and Kyiv.

President Zelensky’s upcoming visit will mark the first by a Ukrainian head of state to South Africa since the start of the war. He is expected to meet with Ramaphosa and senior officials to discuss Ukraine’s peace formula, African mediation efforts, and the broader implications of the war on the Global South.

South Africa’s nuanced stance on the Russia-Ukraine war which includes calls for peace while maintaining strong ties with Moscow has drawn scrutiny from Western allies but has also allowed it to play a unique role in international diplomacy.

With both Russian and Ukrainian leaders now engaging Pretoria within days of each other, the spotlight is on South Africa’s evolving role in global peace efforts.