President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his first official visit to South Africa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

This comes after Ramaphosa spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone, where both Presidents affirmed strong bilateral relations, as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues.

Zelenskyy’s visit follows Ramaphosa’s 2023 visit to Ukraine, as part of the Africa Peace Initiative to Ukraine.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the visits provides South Africa and Ukraine with an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and expand bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture and education.

“…it will also explore areas of cooperation with the objective to support efforts to bring lasting peace,” added Magwenya.

Meanwhile, in Ramaphosa’s Monday phone conversation with Putin, both Presidents committed to working together towards a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with recent calls from the US for a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy posted on X, on Monday, that there must be a Russian order on its soldiers to cease fire.

He called for a “real and lasting” ceasefire, that must begin with Russia ending missile and long-range drone attacks.