South Africa’s Status Strengthened by Diplomacy Amid Ukraine War, US Tariffs: Analysts

Amid tariff negotiations with the U.S. and cease-fire plans for the Russia–Ukraine war, South Africa’s president talked with Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) shakes hands with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (R) in Pretoria, South Africa, on April 24, 2025. Phill Magokoe/AFP via Getty Images

News Analysis

JOHANNESBURG—South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke with the leaders of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine in the past week, talks that analysts said could improve strained relations between Africa’s biggest economy and the world’s largest market, and potentially mark a turning point in the war in Ukraine.