Zelenskyy pleads for global pressure

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday called for an immediate end to intensified attacks by Russia on his country and pleaded for increased support, including from the US, to push Vladimir Putin’s government towards greater commitment to an unconditional ceasefire.

- Mandisa Nyathi & Emsie Ferreira

Zelenskyy cut short a long-planned state visit to South Africa after Russia attacked Ukraine's capital Kyiv overnight with missiles and drones, leaving at least eight people dead and injuring dozens, including children.

“We have got losses, destruction, in the capital, in other localities in all of the regions of Ukraine, more than 80 people were wounded in the strikes.

“Unfortunately, we have people killed in Kyiv,” Zelenskyy told a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday through a translator, after talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“We are thankful for your support of Ukraine, for your sharing our understanding that this war has to be ended as soon as possible. This was our primary topic to discuss with President Ramaphosa. Today, we discussed with the president the importance to unite global efforts to have this aggregate pressure on Russia for the sake of peace, to stop the war.”

Earlier, Zelenskyy had posted on X that 44 days had passed since Ukraine had agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes, as proposed by US President Donald Trump, adding: “And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people and evading tough pressure and accountability for its actions.”

At the briefing Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s position that “the only path to peace is through diplomacy, inclusive dialogue, and a commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter”.

“From the experience of our own journey from apartheid to democracy, we value the importance of engaging all parties to conflicts to achieve peaceful, just and enduring solutions. If there is one thing our history has taught us, it is that diplomacy and dialogue are more powerful than any weapon,” he added.

Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa with his back against the wall after the US ratcheted up the pressure on him to accept a peace deal that plays into Putin’s hands.