In April 2025, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, made a state visit to South Africa, more than 8,000 miles from the front lines of the war with Russia. The trip, in which Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president, hailed the ‘bonds of friendship and solidarity’ between the two countries, was Zelenskyy’s first formal visit to Africa, and a milestone in Kyiv’s efforts to make new allies on the continent.
Ukraine is struggling to challenge Russia in Africa
With new embassies and trade initiatives, Kyiv is trying to win African allies and undermine Putin’s war economy. But it’s up against decades of Moscow’s influence, writes Jenny Mathers.
The World Today
Published 15 September 2025
Updated 17 September 2025 — 5 minute READ
Image — South African members of the ‘Stand With Ukraine’ group protest outside the Russian embassy in the capital Pretoria earlier this year. Photo: Marco Longari / AFP/ Getty Images.
