Ramaphosa Briefed by Putin on Talks With Trump, Reaffirms Call for Peace

President Cyril Ramaphosa has received a briefing from Russian President Vladimir Putin on the outcome of Putin’s recent meeting with United States President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, the Presidency confirmed on Monday.

According to the statement, President Putin expressed satisfaction with the talks and described them as constructive, noting “emerging alignment” with the US on aspects of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace process.

Ramaphosa’s Position

President Ramaphosa welcomed the briefing and underscored the urgent need for compromise to achieve lasting peace.

“The President underscored the need for more compromise on key issues for lasting peace to be attained between Russia and Ukraine,” the Presidency said.

Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to open channels of communication and pledged to continue cooperation on matters of bilateral interest between South Africa and Russia.

South Africa’s Non-Aligned Stance

South Africa has consistently adopted a non-aligned position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling on both sides to prioritise dialogue. Pretoria has argued that negotiations represent the only sustainable path toward ending the war, despite mounting pressure from international partners to take a firmer stance.

Ramaphosa has repeatedly defended South Africa’s approach as one that privileges peace-building over confrontation, positioning the country as a potential mediator rather than a partisan actor.

Africa’s Role in Mediation

In June 2023, President Ramaphosa led a historic delegation of African leaders to both Kyiv and St. Petersburg, in a peace mission aimed at encouraging direct engagement between Russia and Ukraine. The mission was widely viewed as a symbolic assertion of Africa’s role in global peace efforts, though it did not result in immediate breakthroughs.

Since then, Pretoria has continued to advocate for diplomatic dialogue while balancing its relationships with Western partners and its longstanding ties to Russia and BRICS allies.

Broader Implications

The Putin-Trump meeting in Alaska – and Putin’s subsequent briefing of Ramaphosa – signals a potential shift in the dynamics of international engagement on the conflict, with South Africa positioning itself as a trusted interlocutor.

Analysts note that Pretoria’s insistence on non-alignment reflects both principled diplomacy and pragmatic strategy, as South Africa seeks to safeguard its global trade partnerships while upholding its foreign policy tradition of supporting negotiated settlements.

Looking Ahead

The Presidency indicated that Ramaphosa and Putin agreed to keep communication channels active and to explore areas of continued cooperation. While no details were given on specific bilateral initiatives, officials noted that dialogue at the highest levels remains critical as the war continues to impact global food and energy markets, with direct consequences for African economies.

South Africa is expected to continue advocating for multilateral engagement in efforts to end the war, including through the United Nations and platforms such as BRICS.