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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has made the decision to cut short his inaugural visit to South Africa following a devastating overnight missile and drone assault on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
Reports indicate that at least nine individuals lost their lives and over 80 sustained injuries, including children, as a result of the attack, according to local officials.
In a message posted on X, Zelensky announced he would return to Ukraine “immediately” after his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, emphasizing the urgency of his diplomatic agenda.
He highlighted ongoing rescue operations in the aftermath of the attack and noted “significant destruction” across Kyiv.
“It has been 44 days since Ukraine committed to a full ceasefire and halted strikes,” he remarked, alluding to an earlier agreement between the US and Ukraine in March advocating for a proposed ceasefire. “The strikes must cease immediately and unconditionally.”
Zelensky’s South African visit represents a notable advancement in his diplomatic efforts against the backdrop of Russia’s growing sway in Africa.
Only two years ago, such a visit would have been unlikely, particularly when President Ramaphosa led a group of African leaders to Kyiv as part of a peace initiative. During that period, South Africa’s hesitance to denounce Russia’s actions was a point of contention for Ukraine.
However, the geopolitical dynamics have shifted remarkably since that time, resulting in both nations finding themselves with shared interests.
Both Ukraine and South Africa now navigate increasingly strained relations with the United States. Previously, the US had been a principal ally of Ukraine, but a changing political landscape has prompted Ukraine to seek a more diverse array of global partnerships, especially in Africa, where various nations maintain strong ties to Russia.
Additionally, South Africa has encountered its own challenges with Washington, which has enacted measures like expelling its ambassador and cutting aid funding.
Amidst this backdrop, South Africa asserts that its position of non-alignment enables it to potentially facilitate a peace agreement with Russia.
Complicating matters further, former President Donald Trump recently suggested that Zelensky is inhibiting peace talks after the Ukrainian leader declared Kyiv would not acknowledge Russia’s claims over Crimea.
Ukraine has consistently maintained its stance against relinquishing Crimea, a territory annexed by Russia in 2014 under controversial circumstances.
Trump asserted that a resolution to the conflict was “very close,” but criticized Zelensky’s refusal to accept US proposals, claiming it would only serve to extend the war.
Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance outlined the American vision for a resolution, proposing to “freeze the territorial lines […] close to where they are today.” He indicated that compromise would be necessary from both Ukraine and Russia, though the specifics of any territorial concessions remain unclear.
When asked about acknowledging Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, Trump conveyed a desire for the war’s conclusion without committing to any recognition of the illegal occupation, which would challenge international legal principles regarding territorial integrity.
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