Overview

• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a state visit to discuss an inclusive peace process for the war in Ukraine.
• Ramaphosa and Zelensky agreed on the importance of Ukraine's involvement in any peace negotiations, with Zelensky reiterating the principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.'
• The invitation follows criticism of peace efforts by Russia and the United States that excluded Ukraine and its European allies from the process.
• South Africa, while officially neutral, has faced accusations of leaning toward Russia, particularly after Ramaphosa described Russia as a 'valuable ally' during a BRICS summit last year.
• The discussions occurred during South Africa's hosting of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting, where global conflicts, including the Ukraine war, were a central focus.