Zelensky to strengthen ties with SA in historic visit

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is soon to make a historic visit to South Africa, which it sees as a significant partner with which it should pursue stronger relations beyond the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian war.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

This included ensuring that South Africa strengthen its hand to achieve President Cyril Ramaphosa's ambitious development goals as president of the G20, including food security and digitalisation.

Besides, the visit is the first for a Ukrainian head of state in the history of the two nations' diplomatic relations, that began in 1991.

Zelensky, who will be accompanied by his wife Olena and senior state officials, had identified South Africa as a key player in Africa.

He responded to an invitation by Ramaphosa, who had been part of an African peace mission to Ukraine in the early days of the three-year conflict.

The visit - set to take place on 24 April - is an acknowledgement and show of respect for the role South Africa plays as a neutral partner in the war, but the central theme of the visit is to strengthen current bilateral relations beyond the war.

This emerged during an interview with Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova in Pretoria yesterday.

Abravitova said the visit is about cementing existing relations and looking into the future.