Media: South Africa ready to be neutral venue for Ukraine-Russia peace talks

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has proposed South Africa as a neutral venue for potential peace talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing confidence in his country's ability to engage all sides in the ongoing conflict.

Speaking to South African journalists in New York at the conclusion of his engagements during the high-level week of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Ramaphosa said South Africa is in regular contact with both Ukraine and Russia. He described his country as a transparent and honest mediator, stating that South Africa’s balanced diplomatic relationships with all parties enable it to play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue, Caliber.Az reports per SABC. 

Ramaphosa noted that during a bilateral meeting with President Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 24, he reiterated South Africa’s willingness to host negotiations. He reportedly told both parties that, should they require a meeting place, South Africa is ready and willing to provide a neutral venue.

“We are, as South Africa, I think, the only country that is able to talk to all three [countries] with a great deal of respect and a great deal of willingness to assist as much as we possibly can. And the good thing is that they do listen to us, so I’m going to be talking to all three of them separately and to see what’s possible,” Ramaphosa also told Daily Maverick. 

Ramaphosa said South Africa’s role is to help find the most effective way for the parties to begin negotiating, and he stressed that the country’s transparent approach to international relations gives it credibility as a mediator.

By Sabina Mammadli