As Ukraine remembers 1,000 days since it was invaded by Russia, its top envoy in South Africa says President Cyril Ramaphosa should push for lasting peace in her country, using the opportunity of South Africa’s G20 presidency in the coming year.
Speaking to the FM in Cape Town the day after some of the heaviest action in the war, Ukraine ambassador Liubov Abravitova emphasises the importance of South African and international support in ending the conflict. Her country had just used long-range army tactical missile systems provided by the US. Russia says six such missiles were fired in the Bryansk region, in what it says represents a “new phase” in the war.
Abravitova, who has been shuttling between Cape Town and Pretoria, lobbying lawmakers and officials in the department of international relations & co-operation (Dirco), says her country is “exhausted” by the war, “but we are stronger, more united, and determined”.
She adds: “This war is genocidal and unprovoked, and is one of the very serious challenges not only for Ukraine but also for the civilised world. The world will not be the same after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
Also speaking to the FM, on the sidelines of the annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture in Cape Town, Ukrainian Nobel laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk says her country and the world are on edge.
“With Russia threatening the world with new weapons, the war is changing, and it’s even seeing our parliamentary sessions being cancelled. The Russian attack with experimental and hypersonic ballistic missiles is a worrying development. There are also ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, including hitting our nuclear power plants and power grids around the capital. It limits the amount of power we have access to. My country is tired, we are on edge, and it’s impacting morale.”
Matviichuk, who is a human rights lawyer, says she still lives in Kyiv, though millions of Ukrainians have fled the capital and the country. She believes the conflict is not just about territorial disputes but also about a larger battle between democratic values and authoritarianism. She warns that if Putin is successful in his efforts, it could embolden other authoritarian leaders to challenge international norms and boundaries.
“Putin is not afraid of Nato; he is afraid of the idea of freedom. This is not a war just between two states but a war between two systems. Putin wants to tell the world democracy is fake and convince the world that nuclear war can change internationally recognised borders. If he succeeds, he will give other authoritarian leaders confidence that they all can succeed.”
Abravitova has been getting to know the new MPs in Cape Town and believes parliamentary dialogue is key to getting various political parties to understand the conflict. Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, also visited the country last month and held talks with international relations minister Ronald Lamola.
Support (or the lack of it) from the US under the second Donald Trump administration is of concern to Abravitova. Trump has criticised military support to Ukraine and said he wants the war to end.
Wits University associate professor William Gumede tells the FM Trump’s presidency will be “very critical in how and when the war will end. Proposals of his team that have been leaked — and not denied — suggest that Trump will stop the war by handing over the land that Russia occupies.”
“Putin is not afraid of Nato; he is afraid of the idea of freedom. This is not a war just between two states but a war between two systems. Putin wants to tell the world democracy is fake and convince the world that nuclear war can change internationally recognised borders. If he succeeds, he will give other authoritarian leaders confidence that they all can succeed.”
Abravitova has been getting to know the new MPs in Cape Town and believes parliamentary dialogue is key to getting various political parties to understand the conflict. Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, also visited the country last month and held talks with international relations minister Ronald Lamola.
Support (or the lack of it) from the US under the second Donald Trump administration is of concern to Abravitova. Trump has criticised military support to Ukraine and said he wants the war to end.
Wits University associate professor William Gumede tells the FM Trump’s presidency will be “very critical in how and when the war will end. Proposals of his team that have been leaked — and not denied — suggest that Trump will stop the war by handing over the land that Russia occupies.”
Putin is not afraid of Nato; he is afraid of the idea of freedom. This is not a war just between two states but a war between two systems
— Oleksandra Matvichuk
Despite these uncertainties, says Abravitova, Ukraine remains hopeful of continued bipartisan support from the US government in its efforts to protect its sovereignty.
South Africa has come under fire for its close ties with Russia and its claimed nonaligned stance. Critics argue that South Africa is thereby undermining efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine. The country’s position has also strained its relationships with Western allies that have imposed sanctions on Russia.
But Dirco’s Chrispin Phiri tells the FM that South Africa remains deeply concerned “about the continuing conflict, the loss of lives and the deteriorating humanitarian situation. Our nonaligned position does not mean that we condone violations of international law.”
South Africa maintains that in conflict zones, civilians and other noncombatants and civilian infrastructure must be protected. Phiri says the country has participated in a number of peace conferences about Ukraine and will continue to do so. He says the country believes that dialogue and diplomacy can resolve the conflict, highlighting its commitment to promoting peaceful solutions through international co-operation. Phiri also stresses the need for all parties involved to respect human rights and adhere to international humanitarian law in order to achieve a lasting resolution.
On the other hand, DA international relations spokesperson Ryan Smith tells the FM that the party maintains that Russia “must withdraw its armed forces, respect sovereignty and end Putin’s pursuit of empire and the violation of international laws”.
He adds: “It’s no longer the sole political mandate of one party to decide on the foreign policy for the country.”
Abravitova has high hopes for South Africa’s G20 presidency. The country will be in the spotlight, and she says it’s important for Ukraine to see initiatives from Africa and, in particular, from South Africa.
“I am confident that the success of South African leadership in the G20 will not be possible without engagement with Ukraine and without assisting Ukraine to find just and sustainable peace. President Volodymyr Zelensky is open to bilateral dialogue with South Africa, and we are hoping he will be invited to the G20 summit.”
The G20, which was formed in 1999, consists of some of the world’s largest economies as well as the EU and, since 2023, the AU. Member states include South Africa, the US, several European countries, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — but not Ukraine.
Gumede argues that the country must use its G20 presidency to position it as a mediator to bring peace to Ukraine and African countries such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. “We have the G20 presidency for only one year, and we must aggressively position ourselves as mediators and peacemakers.”
Last June Ramaphosa led the African peace initiative to Ukraine and Russia. The grouping included the leaders of Zambia, the Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Egypt, Senegal and Uganda. Ramaphosa said then that Africa had felt the adverse economic impact of the conflict.
Abravitova says her country “respects all other peace initiatives, including the African peace initiative. There cannot be a solution for Ukraine without Ukraine. And we are very open to discussing it with all players in the world.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.