Ramaphosa holds talks with European leaders on Russia-Ukraine peace efforts

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks with European leaders on the Russia-Ukraine peace efforts, with more engagements expected in the coming days and weeks.

The Presidency said Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of holding “bilateral and trilateral” meetings between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine and the United States (US) “as key to signal a firm commitment to ending the war”.

Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Saturday's phone calls followed meetings hosted by US President Donald Trump with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, as well as several other European leaders.

He said Ramaphosa spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Finland's President Alexander Stubb.

“In all the discussions, European leaders openly shared their perspectives, appreciated South Africa's role in engaging with both sides to the conflict, and provided President Ramaphosa with a firm commitment to supporting efforts aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.”