Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky cancels some of his first visit to South Africa after an overnight Russian missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
Local authorities said at least nine people have been killed and more than 80 people, including children, were injured, including children.
Zelensky said in a post on X that he will “quickly” return to Ukraine as part of his trip to strengthen his diplomatic efforts after meeting his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.
He added that rescue operations were ongoing after the overnight attack and “significant destruction.”
“It’s been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strike,” he continued, referring to the previous agreement between the US and Ukraine in March, and the proposed temporary ceasefire. “Strikes must be stopped immediately and unconditionally.”
Zelensky’s visit to South Africa marks a diplomatic breakthrough for Ukrainian leaders in their efforts to counter Russia’s growing influence in Africa.
When President Ramaphosa led a delegation of African leaders to Kiev on a self-style peace mission, the state’s visit was unimaginable just two years ago.
At the time, South Africa’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a source of frustration for Kiev.
However, since the meeting, the geopolitical landscape has changed fundamentally, with the two countries having more in common.
Both find themselves increasingly at odds with Washington.
The United States was one of Ukraine’s closest allies until Donald Trump was re-elected in November. Currently, Ukraine is keen to expand its pool of international partners. Especially in Africa where many countries have strong ties with Russia.
South Africa also suffers from tense relations with Washington, which expelled the ambassador and removed the aid funds.
South Africa says its non-aligned position will put it in its best position to help bring about a peace agreement with Russia.
Trump on Wednesday accused Ukrainian leaders of injuring peace talks after Zelensky said Kiev would not acknowledge Russia’s control of Crimea.
Ukraine has long said it would not abandon Crimea, the southern peninsula that was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.
Trump argued that the contract to end the war was “very close,” but Zelensky’s refusal to accept US terms does not only prolong the conflict.”
Previously, US Vice President JD Vance laid out his vision for the deal, saying that it would “freeze the territory.” […] “Near where they are today.”
He said the deal would mean that Ukraine and Russia would “have to abandon some of the territory they currently own.”
When asked by a White House reporter about whether the administration was trying to recognize Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, Trump said he just wanted to see the end of the war.
Recognizing Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea is not only politically impossible for Zelensky to accept, but also violates the postwar international legal norm that borders should not be forced to change.
