In late April, Ukrainian President Voldy Mirzelensky was welcomed into the Pretoria union building by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the first time in 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations by Ukrainian heads of state for the first time in 33 years after the apart relations. The visit comes at a pivotal time in Ukrainian history. After more than three years of shattering war, under current President Donald Trump, the country's longtime ally, the United States is trying to force Zelensky to sign a Ropside “peace” contract with Russia, which will permanently pass on the occupying territory. Through a random story featuring the distinctive incompetent diplomacy of Trump's Moscow envoy Steve Witkov, Trump has repeatedly accused Zelensky of blocking peace.
As if Putin emphasizes the immunity that Trump feels is advising him, Russia has launched its biggest attack on Kiev since July when Zelensky has been in South Africa, killing at least 12 people and forcing him to return home.
Confusing Pretoria
South Africa's own policies towards Ukraine during the war are bewildered. During Joe Biden's presidency, the country was more or less seen as an ally in the Russian closet. Pretoria infuriated Washington, DC when it hosted a joint naval movement with China and Russia. When then-US ambassador, Reuben Brigetty, accused him of helping to illegally ship arms to Russia, South Africa, the relationship of vehemently denying it.
Ramaphosa enjoyed a warm relationship with Vladimir Putin during the war, and sometimes appeared to support Putin's Casas Beli. War is a response to Eastern Europe's NATO expansionism. Publicly, South Africa attempted to have it in both ways, pointing to the history and efforts of non-aligned to encourage African mediated dialogue. However, the direction of the trip was clear.
However, in the last few months, Ramaphosa's tone has changed. The invitation to Zelensky, desperate to mobilize support from the global South to counter the perception that Ukraine is an obsession of the Euro-Atlantic Ocean, was a surprise. And his tone during his visit was supportive. In South Africa, Ramaphosa is deeply concerned about “the continued conflict in Ukraine, the loss of civilian lives, serious infrastructure damage, and the worsening of the humanitarian situation,” and supports “justice” and “sustainable” peace.
Ramaphosa's nostalgia over the support of the Soviet Union's ANC, its advantages, previously monopolized by Russia, have been extended to Ukraine.
“We are very grateful for the support we received from Ukraine during the liberation struggle. We recall the training and education of many exiled South Africans in Ukraine,” tweeted Ramaphosa.
Annoyed Uncle Sam
What is behind this change in approach? It would be nice to believe that Ramaphosa has awakened to the atrocities of war and the light emptying of President Putin's murder against international law. However, Ramaphosa spoke with Putin just before Zelensky's visit, giving the usual noise “we will work together to resolve the Russian-Ukraine conflict.”
Reaching out to Zelensky could simply become a stick of American eyes. Over the past few months, Trump has dragged ties with South Africa through a ditch. He expels Ambassador Ebrahim Lasor, gives Africans exile, claims he claims to be grounded, and encourages Secretary of State Marco Rubio to boycott the G20 foreign conference in Johannesburg.
Even if they had tentative plans for the meeting, there was no love lost among the presidents. During Biden's presidency, a friendly cynic with Russia might say that Ramaphosa is comfortable with Zelensky, just as the new US administration has worsened on him.
But South Africa's policy towards Ukraine, whether Republican or Democrat, should be determined by more than animus on the current US president. With its own history of fighting colonialism and oppression and its defense of the peaceful world order and respect for the UN Charter, Ukraine makes itself a worthy cause to support itself.
