The visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to South Africa on Thursday highlights a change in Pretoria’s position on the Russian invasion that it had originally refused to denounce, according to researchers.
Only months after South Africa joined a UN General Assembly quality criticizing Russia for the conflict, President Cyril Ramaphosa may make his first appearance in Africa.
In response to” the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation,” the UN’s February resolution “reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.”
According to Institute for Security Studies scientist Priyal Singh,” South Africa has been criticized earlier for taking a rather ambiguous position in defining the conflict.”
” And I think the UN resolution generally put that right: South Africa has acknowledged that it needs to assume a much less confusing position and actively engage with all factors,” he said.
Pretoria’s close relations with the Kremlin, which were forged by its help for the opposition to the previous apartheid regime, have raised questions both domestically and internationally as a result of pressure to lose a non-aligned position.
A previous US embassy claimed that a Russian ship docked in Cape Town in 2022 was loaded with arms intended for the conflict, which led to the development of the claim.
South Africa wants to have the confidence that it can operate with both sides of the conflict and lead an equitable peace process, perhaps using its own comparatively smooth transition from white-minority rule in 1994, following years of armed conflict.
Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s official, stated last month that the visit is a” culmination of our efforts to try to bring about a relaxing resolution.” ” This is the place that South Africa has held since the start of that fight.”
In February, Ramaphosa invited the Ukrainian president as South Africa was coming under attack from US President Donald Trump, who had also attacked Zelensky and had sought to put an end to the conflict without involving Ukraine or its Western allies.
South Africa has gotten closer to Europe, which had also been important of its ambiguous status on Russia’s conflict, Singh said, as Washington has cut foreign aid and business.
South Africa is undoubtedly trying to find common ground with its Western partners, he told AFP. He added that it recognizes their significance.
Europe has taken note of the switch. Fulgencio Garrido Ruiz, the deputy head of the EU goal in South Africa, stated that” South Africa has an extremely good part.”
He praised Zelensky’s visit as a “positive step in bilateral efforts to achieve an equitable, sustainable, and comprehensive peace.”
However, Ramaphosa refers to Russia as an “alfavorable buddy” in October, not at the price of its ties to Moscow.
According to a statement from the South African government, he and President Vladimir Putin spoke on Monday to “affirm the powerful diplomatic relationships.”
” South Africa will continue to work with all relevant and interested parties, including the Ukrainian state, to find a peaceful way,” it said.
Although Pretoria may be interested in this, Kyiv’s goals also include expanding its footprints and standing abroad.
According to Garrido Ruiz, Zelensky is anticipating a South African offer to the G20 summit in November in Johannesburg.
In response to Russia’s “very intense communication strategy,” he claimed, it is aware of the need to exert more political pressure in Africa.
Ukraine’s ambassador Liubov Abravitova told the Sunday Times news that the country also wants Pretoria to fully condemn the conflict.
She said,” I think that South Africa will formally condemn the killing of Russian people.”
The only way to put an end to this is to denounce worldwide law violations and stand up for the territorial integrity of nations.” We are fighting for survival.
