President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a State visit to South Africa, following a range of engagements Zelenskyy held with global leaders and officials on Thursday.

The conversation between Ramaphosa and Zelenskyy comes as both nations face tension with US President Donald Trump.

Most recently, Trump hit out against Zelenskyy, labelling him a “dictator” and implying that Ukraine started the war with Russia.

Ukraine was also excluded from talks this week between the US and Russia on the conflict.

On Thursday, Ramaphosa spoke with Zelenskyy, and stressed the need for an inclusive peace process.

“I welcome the constructive engagement I had with President @ZelenskyyUA and I look forward to hosting him in South Africa soon for a State visit. South Africa remains committed to supporting the dialogue process between Russia and Ukraine,” Ramaphosa said.

Zelenskyy thanked Ramaphosa for lending South Africa’s support in protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“It is important that our countries share the same position: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. We all hope to achieve a just and lasting peace this year. South Africa’s voice matters, and we count on its support,” Zelenskyy said.