Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit to South Africa has sparked concerns among diplomatic experts, with former ambassador and international relations analyst Dr Kingsley Makhubela cautioning that the trip could place the country in a difficult position amid intensifying geopolitical tensions.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to co-chair the 8th South Africa-European Union (EU) Summit in Cape Town on Thursday, alongside European leaders António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. The meeting, aimed at bolstering diplomatic and trade ties, comes as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to divide global powers.
Makhubela warns that Zelenskyy’s presence could complicate South Africa’s relationships with Europe and the United States, given that Washington and Brussels have differing approaches to the war. He suggests that South Africa’s carefully maintained neutrality might be at risk if it appears to align itself with one side. 
“There is a real risk that South Africa could be drawn into a broader political game, especially as Europe seeks new alliances to reinforce its position,” Makhubela said. “If Pretoria is perceived as shifting from its neutral stance, it could damage its credibility as an independent global player.”
His remarks come amid ongoing debates over South Africa’s foreign policy, as tensions persist between Pretoria and Washington over various diplomatic and economic issues. The visit, he suggests, could further complicate these dynamics.
