3 hours Ago By SABC Radio
Home | Zelenskyy’s visit to SA could spark diplomatic tensions, says expert Former diplomat and international relations expert Dr Kingsley Makhubela has warned that the visit of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to South Africa could place the country at the centre of diplomatic tensions between Europe and the United States. President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to co-chair the 8th South Africa-European Union (EU) Summit in Cape Town on Thursday, alongside EU leaders António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. South Africa prepared to help end Russia-Ukraine conflict: Makhubela expresses concern over the possible implications of Zelenskyy’s visit.
“I hope we won’t be played against the United States, because Europe and the United States – for the very first time, they have divergent views on this conflict and how to go about resolving it – and these divergent views have really compelled the Europeans to start to seek alliances to take their position.” He cautions that South Africa’s neutrality could be compromised. “If we were to do that, it would damage our credibility, in terms of being a very neutral and independent country.
I really don’t see the need for Zelenskyy’s visit here at a time when there’s tension on policy issues between South Africa and the US,” he adds. President Ramaphosa to co-chair 8th SA EU summit NEWS APP SABC © 2025.
