President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine on Thursday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Zelensky’s visit is the first-ever visit by a Ukrainian Head of State to South Africa.

The Presidency said this landmark visit builds on President Ramaphosa’s June 2023 trip to Ukraine, where he participated in the Africa Peace Initiative. The reciprocal visit underscores growing diplomatic ties between South Africa and Ukraine, and reflects a shared commitment to dialogue, peace, and strengthened bilateral relations.

The visit will provide an important platform for the two nations to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including trade, agriculture, and education. In addition, the leaders are expected to explore collaborative initiatives aimed at contributing to lasting peace and stability, both regionally and globally.

The Ukrainian president ⁦@ZelenskyyUa⁩ has arrived at the Union Buildings in Pretoria South Africa. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/Q6ZjxxrX22

— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) April 24, 2025

The official programme commenced with President Ramaphosa formally receiving President Zelenskyy at the Union Buildings on Thursday. It was followed by closed-session talks between the two leaders, focusing on mutual interests and strategic partnerships. The visit concluded with a joint media briefing, where the two presidents are expected to share outcomes of their discussions.

“The visits provides South Africa and Ukraine with an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and expand 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,” read a DIRCO statement.

Zelenskyy’s was, however, cut short following reports of a major missile attack in Russia on the capital, Kyiv. Following the meeting and briefing alongside Ramaphosa, Zelenskyy to fly back to his home country.

“I am cancelling part of the program for this visit and will return to Ukraine immediately after the meeting with the President of South Africa,” the Ukrainian president said on X.

It has been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes. This was a proposal from the United States. And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people and evading tough pressure and accountability for its actions.

It is extremely… pic.twitter.com/87CSHvsvqG

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2025