President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed on Thursday that he has spoken with US President Donald Trump, amid hostilities between both countries, with an agreement for a formal meeting between the two leaders to discuss relations between South Africa and the US.

In Trump’s second Presidency, relations between both countries have deteriorated significantly.

In February, the US administration announced the suspension of aid to South Africa's healthcare sector, citing disagreements over land reform policies and South Africa’s legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The US Department of State in Washington also expelled South Africa’s ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool, after he criticised Trump during a public discussion.

Ramaphosa has previously hit back against Trump, stating that South Africa will not be “bullied”.

On Thursday, Ramaphosa said he and Trump had agreed “to meet soon” to discuss issues relating to the relations between the US and South Africa.

“We also spoke about the need to foster good relations between our two countries,” Ramaphosa said.

PEACE IN UKRAINE

Ramaphosa revealed that he and Trump had also discussed the peace process in Ukraine.

“We both agreed that the war should be brought to an end as soon as possible to stop further unnecessary deaths,” he said.

Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of harming the peace discussions, just before Russia undertook attacks on Kyiv on Thursday.

Zelenskyy touches down in South Africa on Thursday, for a meeting with Ramaphosa to discuss bilateral cooperation and peace. However, Zelenskyy has revealed that his trip will be cut short owing to Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s capital.

“Today, I will brief President Ramaphosa of South Africa, who currently holds the G20 Presidency, on the situation and our need to intensify global diplomatic efforts. The strikes must be stopped immediately and unconditionally. We also count on support in humanitarian matters – in the return of our prisoners and Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. I am cancelling part of the programme for this visit and will return to Ukraine immediately after the meeting with the President of South Africa,” Zelenskyy posted on X.