Ramaphosa plans to host Zelensky for peace talks, reaffirming South Africa’s neutrality, despite past ties with Russia.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Friday that he would soon invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for discussions on an "inclusive peace process" to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Despite South Africa's stance of neutrality in the conflict, the country has faced accusations of favoring Moscow. Ramaphosa emphasized his commitment to peace efforts, stating, "I welcome the constructive engagement I had with President @ZelenskyyUA and I look forward to hosting him in South Africa soon for a state visit," in a post on X.

According to Ramaphosa, both leaders acknowledged "the urgent need for an inclusive peace process that involves all parties." He reaffirmed South Africa's dedication to supporting dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing that his country remained committed to facilitating discussions that could lead to a resolution.

Zelensky expressed gratitude for Ramaphosa’s support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, highlighting the importance of a just and lasting peace. "It is important that our countries share the same position: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. We all hope to achieve a just and lasting peace this year. South Africa’s voice matters, and we count on its support," Zelensky stated.

The invitation comes amid widespread criticism of efforts by Russia and the United States to negotiate an end to the war through talks that have excluded Ukraine and its European allies. The exclusion of key stakeholders has sparked concerns about the legitimacy and effectiveness of such negotiations.

In October, Ramaphosa referred to Russia as "valuable friends and allies" during a BRICS summit, which was hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The BRICS group, composed of major emerging economies, has often been seen as a counterbalance to Western influence.

Ramaphosa also held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chose to skip the two-day gathering, citing what he described as South Africa’s "anti-Americanism" agenda.