Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa on Thursday for a state visit. His arrival comes just after former U.S. President Donald Trump accused him of extending the war by refusing to give up Ukrainian land to Russia as part of a peace deal.
Zelenskyy landed during the night while Trump said the Ukrainian leader was keeping the “killing field” going by not agreeing to give up Crimea. Russia took over Crimea in 2014, but Ukraine and many other countries still consider it part of Ukraine.
Russian missiles strike Kyiv during Zelenskyy’s travel
While Zelenskyy was on his way to South Africa, Russia launched a large missile and drone attack on Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said nine people died and 63 were injured, including six children.
The attack is another sign that the war continues to cause damage and loss of life. It happened just as peace talks appeared to be making little progress.
Peace negotiations in London show little progress
Peace talks between Ukraine, the United States, and European officials took place in London on Wednesday. However, the meeting was cut short after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his attendance. The talks did not lead to major steps forward.
The war has now lasted over four years, and there are growing calls for a real path to peace. But so far, the sides remain far apart.
Zelenskyy meets Ramaphosa in Pretoria
Zelenskyy is meeting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. According to Ramaphosa’s office, their talks will focus on areas of cooperation and how to support peace efforts.
South Africa is a member of BRICS, a group of countries that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Because of these ties, Ramaphosa has tried to act as a peace mediator. So far, however, these efforts have not led to much progress.
On Monday, Ramaphosa spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone. He said both sides had agreed to work together toward a peaceful solution.
Zelenskyy questions Russia’s peace intentions
Zelenskyy has said he does not believe Russia is serious about peace. He pointed out that even after Putin announced an Easter ceasefire, Russian forces kept attacking.
Ukrainian officials say that true peace cannot begin while missiles continue to fall on Ukrainian cities and civilians.
Trump’s statement sparks global debate
Trump said the war would end faster if Ukraine agreed to give up some of its land, including Crimea. Zelenskyy rejected this idea in earlier speeches, saying that giving up land would only reward aggression.
Some experts in the United States and Europe say giving away land could encourage more wars in the future.
The world wants peace, but challenges remain
Nations around the world are feeling the impact of the war. Fuel prices have gone up, food has become more expensive, and many economies are under pressure.
World leaders are calling for peace, but reaching an agreement between Ukraine and Russia is proving to be very difficult.
South Africa could play a role in peace talks, but both sides must be willing to engage honestly.
Zelenskyy’s visit aims to build new support
Zelenskyy’s trip to South Africa shows he is reaching out to new partners. He hopes that by working with countries outside of Europe and the United States, Ukraine can gain wider support for a peaceful end to the war.