President of South Africa arrived in Ukraine

President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Ukraine on Friday, June 16. In the capital, he will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

This is reported with reference to the South African presidential administration on Twitter.

The head of South Africa arrived at the railway station in the village of Nemishayeve, Kyiv region. The President was met by Ukraine's Special Representative for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Maksym Subko, and South Africa's Ambassador to Ukraine, Andre Gronewald.

The South African president is expected to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. Ramaphosa has reportedly already visited the town of Bucha.

It is worth noting the importance of this visit, as some African countries take a neutral or openly pro-Russian position on the war in Ukraine. Earlier, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized that Ukraine plans to expand cooperation in the African region and reduce Russia's influence there.

This is the first time the South African president has visited Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. He recently said he was ready to help end the war in Ukraine and announced a "peace plan". However, its details have not been made public.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 16/06/2023