A Historic Visit and Shifting Alliances
In late April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a historic visit to Pretoria’s Union Buildings, where he was welcomed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This marked the first time a Ukrainian head of state had visited South Africa in 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations after the end of apartheid. The visit took place at a crucial moment for Ukraine, as the country continues to grapple with a war that has lasted over three years.
The United States, Ukraine's long-time ally, is now under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a lopsided "peace" deal with Russia. This proposed agreement would likely result in the permanent loss of occupied regions. Throughout these chaotic negotiations, Trump's envoy to Moscow, Steve Witkoff, has displayed a lack of diplomatic skill. Trump has repeatedly accused Zelensky of obstructing peace efforts.
Amid these developments, Russia launched its largest attack on Kyiv since July while Zelensky was in South Africa. The assault resulted in at least twelve deaths and forced Zelensky to return home urgently.
South Africa’s Complex Stance on Ukraine
South Africa's approach to the conflict has been confusing and inconsistent. During the presidency of Joe Biden, the country was seen as a reluctant ally of Russia. Pretoria caused significant tension in Washington when it conducted joint naval exercises with both China and Russia. The relationship deteriorated further when Reuben Brigety, then the U.S. ambassador to South Africa, accused the country of facilitating the illegal shipment of arms to Russia—a claim that South Africa strongly denied.
Throughout the war, Ramaphosa has maintained a warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At times, he appeared to support Putin's justification for the conflict, which framed it as a response to NATO expansionism in Eastern Europe. Publicly, South Africa has tried to maintain a neutral stance, emphasizing its history of non-alignment and promoting African-brokered dialogue. However, the direction of its foreign policy seemed clear.
In recent months, however, Ramaphosa's tone has shifted. Inviting Zelensky, who is seeking support from the Global South to counter the perception that Ukraine is solely a Euro-Atlantic issue, was unexpected. During the visit, the tone was supportive: Ramaphosa expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflict, the loss of civilian lives, damage to critical infrastructure, and the worsening humanitarian situation. He also voiced support for a "just" and "sustainable" peace.
Ramaphosa's appreciation for the Soviet Union's support during the anti-apartheid struggle has extended to Ukraine. He highlighted the historical ties between the two countries, noting that many exiled South Africans received training and education in Ukraine.
A Shift in Relations with the United States
What has prompted this change in South Africa's approach? While it would be reassuring to believe that Ramaphosa has become more aware of the war's brutality and Putin's disregard for international law, he spoke to Putin shortly before Zelensky's visit and reiterated his usual rhetoric about working towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Reaching out to Zelensky may be a deliberate move to challenge the United States. In recent months, Trump has strained relations with South Africa by expelling Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, granting asylum to Afrikaners whom he falsely claims are persecuted, and encouraging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to boycott a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg during South Africa's presidency of the bloc.
Despite some tentative plans for a meeting, there is no affection between the two leaders. Some might argue that Ramaphosa is aligning with Zelensky just as the new U.S. administration has grown skeptical of him.
However, South Africa's policy towards Ukraine should not be driven solely by opposition to the current U.S. president, whether Republican or Democrat. The country's own history of fighting colonialism and oppression, along with its advocacy for a peaceful world order and respect for the UN Charter, makes supporting Ukraine a cause worth pursuing in its own right.