Overview

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited South Africa on April 24, marking his first trip to the African continent and signaling a major diplomatic outreach effort.
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for an unconditional ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, framing it as a vital step toward peace negotiations.
• Zelensky handed over a list of 400 Ukrainian children abducted to Russia, seeking South Africa’s assistance in their repatriation.
• The visit follows South Africa’s recent vote supporting a UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion, reflecting a shift from its historically ambiguous stance.
• Zelensky cut his visit short due to renewed Russian missile attacks on Kyiv, emphasizing the urgency of ending the conflict.