Ukrainian leader 'trying to recruit allies from everywhere' - International Relations analyst

Thabo Shole-Mashao (standing in for 702's Clement Manyathela) speaks to International Relations analysts, Dr Emmanuel Matambo and Prof. Christopher Isike.

Listen below:

President Cyril Ramaphosa this week welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to South Africa for an official working visit.

The invitation came amid continued efforts to secure a peace deal with Russia.

But outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria the EFF, SACP, and MK Party protested the visit, with some holding signs calling Zelensky a 'warmongerer' and accusing him of being a 'USA puppet'.

Matambo says the invitation to Zelensky was an important one.

"...to iron out some of the misgivings that he has had about South Africa itself."

- Dr Emmanuel Matambo, International Relations Analyst 

"Given the ANC has been vacillating on the issue of whether or not Russia should be condemned for their invasion of Ukraine..."

- Dr Emmanuel Matambo, International Relations Analyst 

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump told reporters that he was putting increased pressure on Russia for a peace deal.

So what is Trump likely to have made of Zelensky's meeting in Pretoria?

"This might discomfort Donald Trump a little bit, but it is also important to note that yesterday morning  - Wednesday in the US - Ramaphosa held talks, which he said went reasonably well with Donald Trump."

- Dr Emmanuel Matambo, International Relations Analyst 

Zelensky's visit was cut short, following news a Russian missile had hit Kyiv, killing eight and injuring hundreds.

"That threw a spanner in the works, and highlights the amount of pressure Zelensky had, and he's trying to recruit allies from everywhere."

- Dr Emmanuel Matambo, International Relations Analyst 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.