By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa held a call with president Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine and efforts to end it.
Putin gave a briefing on his trip last week to Alaska, where he discussed the conflict with US President Donald Trump, marking the first meeting between sitting American and Russian leaders since the Ukraine war began in February 2022.
At a joint press briefing, Trump called the talks “productive,” while Putin invited him to Russia, saying: “Next time in Moscow.”
Ramaphosa expressed appreciation for the briefing from Putin, underscoring the need for more compromise on key issues for peace between Russia and Ukraine, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Both leaders once again pledged to maintain open lines of communication and to continue cooperation on issues of bilateral interests.
Putin has expressed his “recognition and appreciation” for South Africa’s involvement in advancing a peace process between Russia and Ukraine.
Ramaphosa, who holds the rotating presidency of the Group of 20 nations, has been among world leaders seeking to mediate an end to the war.
Putin also briefed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the summit outcomes.
Lula stressed the importance of the information, noting Brazil’s role as co-chair of the “Group of Friends of Peace in Ukraine.” Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral dialogue and cooperation within the BRICS framework.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is scheduled to hold talks with Trump in Washington later on Monday, accompanied by a high-level delegation from the European Union.
While the US is expected to focus on territorial concessions demanded by Russia, Kyiv will seek to pin down possible security guarantees.
Fullview understands that, Trump would urge Ukraine to agree to one, with the goal of holding a Putin-Zelenskiy meeting within a week — a timeline many of the Europeans regard as too aggressive, given how many issues remain unresolved.