Zelensky appeared visibly caught off-guard when President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly declared that Ukraine was ready for an unconditional ceasefire. The statement—dropped like a diplomatic bombshell—came during joint remarks and stunned observers, raising questions about Zelensky's true stance on peace negotiations. As Ramaphosa positioned Africa as a key player in ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Zelensky remained tight-lipped, sparking a media frenzy and speculation about behind-the-scenes tensions
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NewsTranscript
00:00I don't remember really how many questions. I don't know. I'm Mr. President. I try to answer
00:11to everything. I'm not sure. Sorry if I follow a subject of my questions.
00:17Yes, there were many questions. Your Excellency President Zelensky, President of Ukraine,
00:24ambassadors and ministers from both Ukraine and South Africa who are here, and senior officials
00:33of both our governments, and of course, members of the media. It is my distinct honor to receive
00:42President Zelensky here in South Africa, together with his delegation. President Zelensky and
00:51I have met on a number of occasions in various summits, and he has always expressed the desire
01:01to come to South Africa. And because of the links that we have had with Ukraine and himself,
01:11we thought it wise that he should come. This official working visit reflects our shared commitment
01:21to enhancing bilateral relations between our two countries for the benefit of our peoples.
01:30This in many ways is a historic visit, because this is the first time the head of state of
01:37Ukraine is visiting South Africa in the 33 years since we established formal diplomatic relations
01:47between South Africa and Ukraine. We acknowledge with great appreciation the support that we received
01:57from Ukraine during our liberation struggle. We recall that a number of exiled South Africans received
02:06training in education in Ukraine in a number of fields and areas. In June 2023, I had the honor
02:15of meeting President Zelensky in Kyiv as part of the African Peace Initiative. Since then, we have maintained
02:26ongoing dialogue between our two countries and our diplomates. We have been engaging together with many other countries
02:36countries in the various preparatory talks in the various preparatory talks for installing peace in Ukraine. And we have engaged
02:46in a number of other initiatives. For instance, when the African Peace Initiative leaders, African leaders were in Ukraine
02:58in Ukraine in Russia, one of the issues that we put on the table was a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire. We also put on the table the return of the children who were taken to Russia. We also put on the table the exchange of
03:20of those soldiers, soldiers who were either captured by Russia or Ukraine. So the dealings that we have had with other countries, with Ukraine, have been quite extensive in a number of ways.
03:41We have just concluded with President Zelensky's successful talks during which we exchanged views on how to consolidate and deepen the bilateral relations between our two countries.
03:58We also discussed how ministers from both sides can engage to deepen and broaden those relations.
04:06We noted a growing interest in expanding relations in peace diplomacy, post-conflict reconstruction,
04:16and development and the empowerment of our people, especially women. We also discussed the opportunities
04:23for cooperation in areas such as agriculture, trade, education infrastructure, and energy and other social engagements.
04:34We are pleased that our ministers have held discussions amongst themselves to strengthen the various areas in which
04:44we can cooperate between our two respective countries. We acknowledge the significant strides that Ukraine has taken,
04:53and in particular President Zelensky, to expand relations with the African continent.
05:01We note the provision of grain in areas of food, the expansion of agricultural cooperation,
05:09and the opening up of the grain hub to the port of Mombasa in Kenya. These are direct outcomes of discussions that
05:20were held when we visited Kyiv in June 2023 as part of the African Peace Initiative.
05:27Our engagement today was an opportunity to discuss our shared interest in advancing peace,
05:38security, stability, and sustainable development on the continent, in Ukraine, and across the world.
05:46We have reinforced our common commitment to the respect of the rule of law in international relations,
05:56multilateralism, the central role that the United Nations plays in global governance, and the maintenance of
06:05global peace and security. South Africa is deeply concerned about the continuing conflict in Ukraine,
06:13the continuing loss of civilian lives, the damage to critical infrastructure, and deteriorating humanitarian
06:24situation. South Africa believes that the only path to peace is through diplomacy,
06:33inclusive dialogue, and a commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
06:39South Africa. This includes the principle that all member states should settle their international
06:48disputes by peaceful means. From the experience of our own journey from the nightmare of apartheid to democracy,
06:59democracy, we value the importance of engaging all parties to conflicts, to achieve peace and the just
07:08enduring solution to wars and conflicts. If there is one thing that our history as South Africans has taught us,
07:20it is that diplomacy and dialogue are more powerful than any weapon that anyone can use.
07:30It is this understanding that informed South Africa to participate in the African peace initiative
07:39and South Africa's subsequent and continuing participation in the Ukraine peace formula.
07:47South Africa. I had an opportunity to speak to President Trump yesterday, or this morning rather,
07:55to discuss the peace process in Ukraine. We both agreed that the war should be brought to an end as soon as possible,
08:06to prevent further death and destruction. President Trump and I also agreed to meet soon to address the various other matters
08:21regarding our relations between South Africa and the United States. We both spoke about the need to
08:29to foster good relations between our two countries. Earlier in the week, I had a call with President Vladimir Putin,
08:40where we both committed to work together towards a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
08:48South Africa stands ready to continue to support all credible as well as inclusive multilateral efforts
09:00at achieving a just and sustainable comprehensive peace. And we call upon all parties, both Russia and Ukraine,
09:12to ensure that there is a comprehensive ceasefire, an unconditional ceasefire, so that discussions and negotiations can start between the two countries. President Zelensky,
09:30as he himself will say, told me that as Ukraine, they are ready to engage
09:40in discussions and negotiations with Russia, and they are also ready to have a comprehensive, unconditional ceasefire.
09:52This, we believe, is the best way towards ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
10:01So we have today, between myself and President Zelensky,
10:06reaffirmed the bonds of friendship and solidarity that exist between our two countries.
10:13We look forward to continued engagement and cooperation that benefits our peoples and our two countries.
10:23President Zelensky, I hope that you will leave our shores of South Africa with good memories,
10:30much as your visit has been really short. I do hope that in time to come, you will come back
10:39to visit the most beautiful country in the world, South Africa. Thank you very much.
10:45President Zelensky, Mr. President, Mr. President, Mr. President Romofosa,
11:03dear those attending this venue, dear team members, dear media representatives.
11:13It is an honor to me today to pay a visit to your nation today. Still more that it comes on the eve of
11:24the Freedom Day festivities that truly reflects the core values of your nation. This is what unites us
11:32together. Our will for freedom, for independence, for equality, for respect. These are all values
11:41and the world that we have to be understood in every corner of the world. We are fighting for our freedom in this full-scale war. For more than three years, we are fighting against the occupation by
11:57Russia, against our people, being prosecuted. Again, any sort of denigration of our people by the aggressors. We have a very fresh Russian attack this day. This morning, more than 200 aerial targets,
12:19we are fighting against missiles, missiles, ballistic missiles, attack drones. Unfortunately, we have got losses, destruction at the capital in other localities. In all of the regions of Ukraine, more than 80 people were wounded in the strikes. Unfortunately, we have people killed in Kyiv
12:46We have a boy and a girl, 21 and 19 years. They were siblings. So my sheer condolences to everyone who sustained losses. While I'm talking here, the recovery works continue. Because of that, I decided to shorten my visit to your beautiful country. But I do live
13:16My minister of exterior to express our sheer respect and have all the meetings that had been planned. The meetings that are deemed very important at the level of our ministers, those meetings with opinion leaders, with studentship. We are thankful for your support of Ukraine,
13:39For your sharing our understanding that this war has to be has to be ended as soon as possible. This was our primary topic to discuss with President Ramaphosa. When he had been on a visit to Ukraine,
13:58I remember him saying those very important words about the need to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, an unconditional ceasefire, I agreed to it. I said that everything depends on Russia's intention and desire because it is in Moscow where they have to make a decision on silence, making relevant orders to the Russian army.
14:23President Ramaphosa.
14:24President Ramaphosa. You know that this year, the Eastern time, we had this opportunity of a ceasefire. We were absolutely ready for it. We acted mirror, in a mirror way, responding only to Russian attacks. Ukraine defended itself. Unfortunately, after that, Russia renewed its assaults on the front line, the strikes against the civilian infrastructure. Today, we discussed with the President,
14:52the importance to unite global efforts to have this aggregate pressure on Russia for the sake of peace to stop the war. We also discussed the importance of the G20 level. South Africa is presiding in G20 and G20's role in the defense of peace can be much greater. We strongly count
15:22on that. It is also very important our bilateral agenda. Ukraine is keenly interested in energy security matters, in fertilizing production. We have strong results in defense production and defense technologies. We are ready to work with partners on that. We are ready to work with the South Africa to build more modern
15:52and production facilities in your country for better resilient power sector. Ukraine offers the South Africa to have a joint mineral hub to produce and transport fertilizers to support the whole of your region.
16:22We are ready to work with the South Africa. We are ready to work with the South Africa. We are ready to work together to create modern security systems for such facilities like your national parks, urban environment settings, new technological advancements in the area. We are ready to talk on that. We are also ready to work together to drastically increase
16:52throughout the conversation. We are ready to work together to increase the use of the South Africa. We are ready to work together to work together to work together to work together to work together to work together to work together beyond our country.
16:59my professional team to look into a joint strong project between our countries.
17:08I presented President Romofosa with a list of 400 Ukrainian children.
17:15It's very important for us to look after them.
17:18They are being kept against their will in Russia,
17:21and we have this horrible problem with Russians' kidnapping
17:26on the temporarily occupied territories, hundreds of thousands,
17:30dozens of thousands, actually, of kids.
17:33We need to get them back.
17:35Likewise, we need to get back the POWs,
17:39the civilians captured and contained in Russia in inhumane condition.
17:46South Africa is a co-leader of a global coalition to bring Ukrainian kids home.
17:52I truly hope that President Romofosa will help us to bring them home indeed.
17:59I'd like to thank you for this visit, for the opportunity to meet you.
18:04We strongly believe that the President, the South Africa,
18:11all other partners in Africa will help us to stop Russia,
18:18to force Putin to engage in the full-scale ceasefire.
18:25Thank you. Glory to Ukraine.
18:31Thank you very much, Your Excellencies.
18:33We'll now open the floor to questions.
18:35We had agreed that we'll take three questions from the South African side,
18:41three questions from our international colleagues,
18:44and the first question will go to Ms. Jones from the BBC.
18:48If you could please introduce yourself.
18:57Hi. Good morning.
18:59This is Mayumi Jones with the BBC.
19:01This question is for President Zelensky, but also President Ramaphosa.
19:05It would be good to get your thoughts on it.
19:07Do you think that this night's attacks on Kyiv by Russia were deliberate,
19:12tied to your visit here?
19:14And if so, why?
19:17We'll take another question.
19:19Sophie?
19:23Can we please get the mic to the front?
19:26My question is directed to President Zelensky and President Ramaphosa.
19:38The issue of the peace process has been a thorny one
19:43with different interest groups in terms of regions and countries.
19:49But, President Ramaphosa, you spoke to President Trump,
19:54you spoke to President Zelensky, you spoke to President Putin,
20:00and you do engage with the European Union.
20:05Is there a possibility for ceasefire?
20:11And who will be the guarantors?
20:13And this question is directed to both President Ramaphosa and President Zelensky.
20:20And lastly, on the President Trump's issue in particular.
20:24And the question is directed to the two leaders.
20:27The United States of America in recent time has been pushing for an agreement.
20:35And it looks like yesterday, Washington was impatient.
20:42Is there a room for the U.S. posture in terms of playing a more productive role
20:54to assist and to both leaders?
20:59Thanks.
21:00Thank you very much.
21:01We will take those first two questions, Your Excellencies, starting with President Zelensky.
21:09Okay.
21:12Thank you indeed.
21:17Every such attack is not an isolated event.
21:21Unfortunately, this is something that is happening from time to time.
21:32The Russian attacks come every night.
21:36100, 120 Iranian shahids or some similar long-reaching drones are being used by Russia every night.
21:48To say that more than 100 targets they have each night.
21:54Add here all sorts of missiles, the ballistic ones included.
21:59So, unfortunately, I would not try to tie any specific attack to any specific event.
22:06This attack of today's night was, well, one of the complex ones, one of the most outrageous.
22:16If I'm not mistaken, 215 attack drones, ballistic and other missiles were launched against the civilians,
22:28the civilian infrastructure, so a serious strike.
22:35What it was linked to, I think, to link it to my visit to the South Africa, I wouldn't do it because, well, surely Putin doesn't like Ukraine's presence in Africa,
22:52and surely he doesn't want Ukraine to build any good, primarily humane, also economic relationships with countries on your continent.
23:05Russia has always tried, not just on the African continent, but also on other continents.
23:11, in Latin America, everywhere, practically, they've been trying to be exclusively present.
23:21In your country, elsewhere, this is their policy of theirs.
23:28The question if one allows it or not, it's a matter for each country to decide.
23:33We, from our side, we are not, you know, pretending to be exclusive.
23:37We are just willing to have good neighborly productive relations with your country.
23:43This is the sense of competition.
23:45This is the sense of freedom.
23:47In my view, this is the principle behind common sense.
23:51You choose life.
23:54People should be free to live where it's most comfortable for them, where they feel
23:58they have shared values.
24:00You fought for your principles.
24:03You've got huge victory.
24:05This is what we are also doing.
24:08Also in whichever direction, we should be free to decide who we want to cooperate with,
24:15to live together.
24:17Because of that, we are defending just our own rights.
24:21Meanwhile, Russia understanding that Ukraine is fighting for its rights, exerts pressure
24:30on us, on the United States.
24:32This is what I linked the recent strike with.
24:34We had a meeting in London yesterday and indeed the European nations and the United States
24:42of America present there.
24:45Ukraine, the UK, France, the United States were represented there.
24:50There was a discussion yesterday.
24:52It did end.
24:53It wasn't an easy one, but it was constructive and it ended not in discrepancies, but in the
25:04intention to continue working together.
25:06Yes.
25:07I am sure that Russia counted on some huge scandal yesterday.
25:13I remember some emotions seeping into the media on that.
25:17But emotions, well, they will remain emotions.
25:21Russia dislikes any union around Ukraine because if Ukraine is alone, it will become a much easier
25:30target for Russia.
25:31Now, frankly speaking, for three years of this war, we've shown our big strength and actually,
25:39we are stronger than we were in the early days.
25:43Believe us, we are much stronger now, but probably it is us who want the most this war to stop.
25:52This is our sheer desire.
25:54And that was the starting point of our talk and meeting with President Ramaphosa.
26:01It was the primary consideration, how to stop this war, how to curse Russia for this comprehensive,
26:11unconditional ceasefire.
26:13And the second question for our discussion wasn't about energy safety, though it's important matter.
26:19It was about children, how to save their lives.
26:24The South Africa has already helped us a lot and we want you to help us even more.
26:29Because of that, we have this priority list and it goes as it goes.
26:34Yesterday in London, again, the priority topic number one was how to end this war, not how
26:40to launch another bout of it, but how to end it.
26:44This is what's about the attack.
26:48Again, it doesn't work like this.
26:51If Russia declares its readiness to a ceasefire, first of all, they have to stop dealing these
26:58massive strikes against Ukraine.
27:02I'm not sure whose patience is wearing thin and where, but I think that the patience ultimately
27:09will wear thin among the Ukrainians because it is us who are suffering these strikes.
27:15I wouldn't wish anyone to feel it, but it is us who suffer those Russian missiles.
27:22Sorry for probably taking too much time to respond, Mr. President.
27:29The war is horrible.
27:33It is awful.
27:37I would not attribute the attacks that happened in Kyiv to President Zelenskyy's visit here,
27:47because the war manifests itself in many ways and at any time,
27:55and that is why we're calling for an end to this war.
28:00This is a war that has not only affected Russia or Ukraine.
28:06It has also affected a number of other countries.
28:09That is why the African Peace Initiative leaders went to Kiev and Moscow
28:15to plead for war and to call on the leaders,
28:20to plead for the end of the war rather,
28:23and to call on the leaders to sit around the table
28:27and negotiate the end to this war.
28:31All wars do come to an end,
28:34and it depends at what stage they come to an end,
28:38and we say it should be sooner rather than later
28:42because the continuation of this war
28:46continues to wreak havoc, destruction of lives,
28:50infrastructure, economies of both countries
28:54are negatively affected,
28:56and indeed it affects trade between those two countries
29:01and many other countries.
29:04It is therefore important that this war should be brought to an end,
29:08and it is a good signal from President Zelensky
29:14that Ukraine is agreeable to a ceasefire,
29:20unconditional ceasefire, that is,
29:23so that discussions and negotiations can then ensue.
29:29This, we believe, is a very positive signal
29:32that should be embraced.
29:34My sister Sophie asks who would be the guarantors
29:40of this peace process.
29:44I think the world as a whole is ready to act as guarantors.
29:50We as South Africa would be willing to play our role
29:55in supporting the peace process between Ukraine and Russia,
30:01and I do believe that leaders on the African continent
30:08who went to Russia and Ukraine
30:12would be willing to play that positive role as well.
30:17For us, it is important that this war should be brought to an end,
30:22and we would like to see an agreement,
30:25first for a ceasefire,
30:28and secondly, to bring the war to an end completely.
30:34You ask, is there a role,
30:36is there room for the U.S. to play a productive role?
30:40I do believe that, yes, the United States, indeed Europe,
30:44and, of course, the African continent,
30:48would be willing and prepared to play a productive role,
30:51and this is what we as South Africa are also prepared to do.
30:56We have been tangentially involved in this whole process
31:02of seeking to bring about peace between the two countries
31:06as we have participated in a number of initiatives,
31:11starting off with building peace
31:15as well as dealing with issues
31:18what other people may think are mundane,
31:22like the return of the children.
31:25We have been dealing with that as South Africa,
31:28so in many ways we are involved in ensuring
31:33that there is a peace process
31:36that is effective between the two countries.
31:40Thank you very much.
31:42Kate, Bartlett?
31:43Yes, thank you very much.
31:46First of all, President Zelensky,
31:48do you have any comment?
31:49Just an intro, Kate.
31:50Please introduce us.
31:51I'm sorry.
31:52NPR asked whether we agree
31:55that Ukraine may have to cede territory.
31:59That I see as something that amounts to a precondition,
32:04and I think what we should focus on
32:08is that there is a willingness
32:11and a commitment from Ukraine
32:14for an unconditional ceasefire.
32:19An unconditional ceasefire sets a very good
32:22and positive toll to negotiations to commence.
32:26It is a confidence-building measure
32:30that should be a key ingredient
32:34in a negotiation process.
32:37So I see this as a great progress.
32:42When I last met President Zelensky in New York
32:45on the side of the United Nations General Assembly,
32:51he was grappling with this whole question.
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