We are coming to SA as the country proudly carrying the flag as G20 host - Ukraine ambassador
CapeTalk's John Maytham talks to Ukraine ambassador Liubov Abravitova ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky's official visit to South Africa.
Archive image: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Facebook/SA Presidency
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his first official visit to South Africa, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The visit comes amid ongoing efforts to secure a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, as its war in the country continues.
Ramaphosa this week confirmed he'd spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call during which they 'further committed to working together towards a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict'.
The Presidency has described Zelensky's visit as an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations which include trade, and explore areas of cooperation 'with the objective to support efforts to bring lasting peace'.
John Maytham speaks with Liubov Abravitova, Ukraine's Ambassador of Ukraine to South Africa, ahead of the visit.
Abravitova confirms that preparatory and high-level talks will include strengthening bilateral relations with an eye on the future, as well as the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
"At a very challenging time we are coming to your country which is proudly carrying the flag as host of G20, and we are proudly coming to speak about our bilateral, historic heritage but also about our future; as well of course to speak about the geopolitical circumstances and most importantly we're going to speak about the continuous war of Russia in Ukraine."
Liubov Abravitova, Ukraine's Ambassador to South Africa
Abravitova asserts that Pretoria can play a role in determining the future of Ukraine, and particularly regarding the return of children taken from the country during the war.
"There will be discussions around this - there are practical things that already were on the table, particularly the return of those Ukrainian children who were abducted by Russia... and to see what kind of mediation South Africa could do. We're also looking forward to hear from SA what we can do together to avoid the further repercussions of Russian aggression in Ukraine."
Liubov Abravitova, Ukraine's Ambassador to South Africa
Abravitova notes that an advance team from Ukraine which includes the minister of economic development and the minister of agrarian policy is already here, busy having meetings with the relevant associations about exploring opportunities that exist for the two countries.
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