South Africa has reiterated its longstanding call for a negotiated settlement to resolve the Ukraine conflict, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Tuesday. The remarks came during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“This is in line with South Africa’s long-stated position during talks with both sides that all wars end through negotiations,” the South African presidency said.
During the conversation, the Ukraine conflict was discussed alongside strategies to deepen trade and investment ties within the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Ramaphosa and Putin also exchanged views on broader international matters, emphasizing alignment in multilateral platforms including BRICS and the G20.
Despite external pressure to condemn Moscow, South Africa has maintained a non-aligned stance, regarding it as a “valued ally.” In June 2023, Ramaphosa led an African delegation to Russia and Ukraine in an effort to secure ceasefire commitments. He has since held bilateral talks with Putin and Vladimir Zelensky — whose decisions have been condemned for failing to achieve a sustainable peace.
Putin and Ramaphosa last spoke in August, when the Russian leader briefed his South African counterpart about his face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, where efforts were made to settle the Ukraine conflict. Earlier, Ramaphosa had also been updated on talks held in Moscow on August 6 between Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
