South African President Ramaphosa expresses interest in visiting Ukraine

During a telephone conversation between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa said that he wanted to come to Ukraine as part of a mission from several African countries.

Source: presidential press secretary Sergei Nikiforov in a commentary to the UP

Literally: “During a telephone conversation on May 13, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa did inform Volodymyr Zelensky about his intention to come to Ukraine as part of a mission from several African countries.

The President of Ukraine welcomed such a peaceful initiative. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to receive distinguished guests in Ukraine, listen to their proposals, talk about the Ukrainian Peace Formula and invite them to join its implementation.”

Details: On May 16, Russian propagandists reported that Ramaphosa spoke with Zelensky and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

The Russian Federation claimed that Putin and Zelensky agreed to accept the mission of African leaders on the “peace initiative”.

Recall:

• In March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant Russian President Vladimir Putin, considering him guilty of the illegal deportation of thousands of children from Ukraine. The issuance of the warrant means that Putin could be arrested if he travels to any member country of the International Criminal Court.
• In the summer, Putin is invited to the summit of the heads of five countries – the BRICS, which will be held in South Africa.
• South Africa has refused to support sanctions against Russia or condemn its aggression in Ukraine.
• In South Africa, they even considered withdrawing from the International Criminal Court so as not to arrest Putin, but in the end they invited him to take part in the summit via Zoom, and not in person.
• U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Ruben Brighetti said the country had likely donated weapons and ammunition to Russia for the war in Ukraine.