Pretoria – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy touched down in South Africa late on Wednesday evening, 23 April 2025, marking a historic first official visit by a Ukrainian Head of State. He was welcomed by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, ahead of high-level talks scheduled for Thursday in Pretoria.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will host his Ukrainian counterpart at the Union Buildings, where both leaders are expected to hold closed-door discussions and later address the media in a joint briefing. The programme begins at 11:00 AM, with media accreditation starting at 08:00 AM at the glass doors of the Union Buildings.
Zelenskyy’s visit follows Ramaphosa’s own journey to Kyiv on 16 June 2023 as part of the Africa Peace Initiative, aimed at encouraging dialogue and lasting solutions to the ongoing conflict involving Ukraine.
Talks between the two leaders are expected to explore stronger cooperation in trade, agriculture, and education. They will also discuss South Africa’s role in global peace efforts.
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