South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, as part of a renewed effort to end the war through peaceful negotiations.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an official visit to Pretoria, Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s position on promoting dialogue over conflict.
The call came as President Zelenskyy visited South Africa for the first time, although he was forced to cut his trip short due to fresh attacks in Ukraine. Despite the shortened visit, the two leaders held official talks and addressed the media together at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Ramaphosa’s appeal for a ceasefire follows his earlier efforts under the African Peace Initiative. In June 2023, he and other African leaders visited both Ukraine and Russia to present a ten-point peace plan, encouraging open dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war. Ramaphosa reiterated that South Africa’s history of peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy serves as a reminder that negotiation and diplomacy are more powerful than weapons.
During the briefing, Ramaphosa stated that Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire and open to peace talks with Russia. He said the key focus should now be on turning this willingness into a path forward. He described Ukraine’s openness to negotiations as a positive step that can build confidence and create a foundation for peace.
Zelenskyy echoed these sentiments, explaining that Ukraine remains committed to ending the war but continues to face military pressure from Russia. He noted that despite agreeing to a ceasefire in principle, ongoing attacks have forced Ukraine to defend itself. His visit to South Africa had to be shortened due to a fresh round of Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory, which caused casualties and damage.
In his remarks, Ramaphosa also shared that he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the day. The two leaders agreed on the urgency of ending the war and discussed plans to meet soon to further talks about the peace process and strengthen bilateral ties between South Africa and the United States. Ramaphosa also confirmed a recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which both sides committed to continue working toward peace.
As talks progress, both leaders expressed hope that continued diplomatic engagement will bring an end to a war that has lasted more than three years and caused widespread suffering. Zelenskyy concluded his appearance by thanking South Africa for its support and emphasizing that the decision to stop the war ultimately lies in Moscow’s hands. Despite the challenges, both countries left the meeting aligned in their belief that peace is still possible—if given the chance.