By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa received a call from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a peace process between Russia and Ukraine,” the presidency said in a statement.
It comes as Zelensky stressed he will make no territorial concessions to Russia, ahead of a summit between US president Donal Trump and Russia president Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week.
Trump and Putin are set to meet on 15 August to discuss the future of the war.
The Alaska summit would be the first between sitting US and Russian presidents since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in June 2021.
Trump signalled Ukraine may have to cede territory to end the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Zelensky “expressed his appreciation for South Africa’s continued support in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict and affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to securing a lasting peace with Russia,” it said.
“The efforts that this country makes in fostering peace processes around the world are recognised,” Ramaphosa told journalists earlier in the day in the Vaal.
In a similarly-worded statement on Thursday night, he announced that he had spoken to Putin following the Russian president’s “request to brief Ramaphosa on the peace process with Ukraine”.
Putin on Friday also held consultations with the leaders of China and India, seeking support from his key allies ahead of a likely summit with Donald Trump.
Thousands of people have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with millions forced to flee their homes.
Three rounds of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine this year have failed to bear fruit, and it remains unclear whether a summit would bring peace any closer.
Putin has resisted multiple calls from the United States, Europe and Kyiv for a ceasefire.
He has also ruled out holding talks with Zelensky at this stage, a meeting the Ukrainian president says is necessary to make headway on a deal.
Meanwhile Ramaphosa on Thursday met the interim preparatory task team responsible for organising the first National Convention amid concerns about internal divisions and the team’s readiness to deliver the event.
Earlier this week, organisations, including the Thabo Mbeki and Steve Biko foundations, withdrew from the dialogue, citing a lack of budget and insufficient time to prepare for the first national convention.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Presidency announced that the National Convention organising team has been restructured and reinforced with various social partners and civil society members. This change is intended to ensure that the convention takes place next Friday and that the National Dialogue process can begin.
Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said that divisions over the National Dialogue were unfortunate.
“The national convention must happen so that South Africans can take ownership and control of the National Dialogue. Invitations have gone out to organisations across the country and delegates are preparing themselves to attend the national convention.”
After the first national convention on Thursday, the National Dialogue will continue through a series of nationwide public engagements.