South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa will host the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, April 24, 2025, on an official visit to South Africa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Reportedly, this visit to South Africa by the President Zelenskyy will be the first by a Head of State from Ukraine, that will be followed on the visit to Ukraine by President Ramaphosa as a part of the Africa Peace Initiative to Ukraine on June 16, 2023.
The visits provide South Africa and Ukraine with an opportunity to discuss the bilateral relations and will expand the 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.
Moreover, the media programme of the incoming Official Visit by Ukraine has been scheduled well, that will include:
- Media arrival and accreditation at the Union Buildings glass doors at 8:00 a.m.
- President Ramaphosa receives President Zelenskyy at the Union Buildings at 11:00 a.m.
- Closed Session Official Talks by President Ramaphosa and President Zelenskyy at 12:00 p.m.
- Media briefing by President Ramaphosa and President Zelenskyy at 1:00 p.m.
Notably, the above times are the guidelines and are subject to change, if any changes occur. On a strict note, only media accredited personnel who have applied within the deadline will have access to the Union Buildings. Also, entry to the Union Buildings is reserved.
Earlier, President of South Africa – Cyril Ramaphosa had the pleasure to meet and interact once again with the Russian Federation President – Vladimir Putin on April 21, 2025, over a telephone call.
The presidents of two countries affirmed the strong bilateral relations between the respective countries. They further committed to work together towards a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Considering this, South Africa will continue to engage all the interested and affected parties, involving the government of Ukraine on finding a path to peace.