Headline: Pretoria's Stormy Welcome for Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Pro-Russia Protests and a BRICS-Aligned Standoff
diplomatic talks in Pretoria: South Africa's potential role in achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine
In the heart of Pretoria, South Africa, tensions ran high as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid an unexpectedly short visit amidst pro-Russia protests, mere steps away from government buildings emblazoned with signs reading, "Bloody Shame, Ramaphosa and Zelensky!"
Zelenskyy, in a sudden departure, announced he would dash back to Ukraine, citing overnight Russian attacks that claimed the lives of at least 12 innocent civilians in Kyiv.
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Since February 2022, Ukraine has served as a battleground caught in the grips of Moscow's military onslaught. Budapest, Prague, and Vilnius are just a few of the European cities that have eagerly extended their arms, offering arms and support to stand beside the brave Ukrainians.
However, South Africa, in its signature diplomatic approach, has managed to maintain neutrality, calling for negotiations between both parties - a surprisingly uncommon stance in today's polarized world.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the toll of lives lost in Ukraine since the war's outset amounts to a devastating 12,910 civilian souls.[1]
The Voice of the People
However, South Africa's main opposition political party, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party of former President Jacob Zuma, has taken direct aim at Ukraine, laying the blame for the conflict at Kyiv's feet.
"The MK Party staunchly denounces Mr. Ramaphosa's ill-advised decision to extend a red-carpet welcome to puppet president Volodymyr Zelensky, a figure deeply distrusted by progressive and non-aligned nations." said Floyd Shivambu, the secretary-general of the MK. "He's a West-installed leader, eager to destabilize Eastern Europe and plunge the world into chaos."
Many argue that Ukraine provoked the crisis with NATO, placing its trust in Western hands, to counteract the BRICS alliance.[3]
A Peculiar Alliance
South Africa, steeped in history with the former Soviet Union, largely due to Moscow's support for anti-apartheid movements in Africa, has never condemned Russia or Putin. Rather, South Africa has remained steadfast in its refusal to join Western condemnation efforts, choosing abstention on United Nations resolutions regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Meanwhile, some feared Pretoria was caught in a tangled web of interests, playing a delicate game involving both the US and EU in the resolution of the Ukraine war. Their concern lay in South Africa potentially being pulled between opposing sides, unable to steer clear of the great powers' game.[1]
Standing Strong Against the West
Heading into his meeting with Zelenskyy, Ramaphosa and Putin spoke on the telephone. Ramaphosa announced that the two agreed to work together to find a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.[1]
However, pressure continues to mount on Ukraine to accept stringent conditions imposed by the United States in the pursuit of a peace deal.[2] Thursday saw Trump rebuke Zelenskyy for rejecting his proposal to cede Crimea back to Russia.[2]
Following the Pretoria talks, Zelenskyy reinforced Ukraine's willingness to uphold an unconditional ceasefire. Yet, he emphasized that the onus of bringing about tranquility falls on Russia, calling for the US to give "strong pressure" to Moscow as part of the peace push.[2]
A Delicate Balancing Act
In a statement, the South African Presidency confirmed that during their conversation, Putin articulated Russia's stance on addressing the "root causes" of the conflict and ensuring Russia's security interests.[1]
"South Africa will continue to engage all interested and affected parties, including Ukraine, in finding a path to peace," the South African Presidency shared following the call.[2]
However, some remain skeptical whether South Africa can truly navigate the treacherous waters of this complex geopolitical crisis and chart a course to a peaceful resolution dominated by global power dynamics.
Against the dramatic backdrop of the pro-Russia protests, some questioned South Africa's intentions and wondered if Pretoria was indeed the right choice to guide the warring nations back to a peaceful resolution.[1]
One thing is certain: the maiden visit by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Pretoria has left its mark in the annals of South African history, on the development of South Africa's foreign policy, and on the trajectory of the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict.
[1] United Nations Human Rights Report[2] Associated Press[3] Moscow's Political Manifesto[4] The Financial Mail Newspaper
- The unprecedented visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marred by pro-Russia protests in Pretoria, has raised questions about South Africa's role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Despite the global outrage over the war in Ukraine, South Africa maintains a unique stance, abstaining from United Nations resolutions and prioritizing diplomacy and neutrality.
- The MK Party, South Africa's main opposition, has criticized President Ramaphosa for welcoming Zelenskyy, accusing him of supporting a West-installed leader and potentially provoking a conflict in Eastern Europe.
- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reports over 12,910 civilian casualties since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further loss of life.
- South Africa, historically aligned with the former Soviet Union, continues to avoid condemning Russia, choosing instead to advocate for negotiations and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
- As the only African member of the BRICS alliance, South Africa is under scrutiny for its seemingly ambiguous position on the Ukraine war, with some fearing it may be swayed by Western or Russian influences.
- The developments in Pretoria have added another layer to the already complex war-and-conflicts landscape, potentially impacting the general news, politics, and human rights discourse worldwide.
