Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is on a historic visit to South Africa, signalling a dramatic improvement in the once-strained relations between the two nations. The visit marks a diplomatic breakthrough for the Ukrainian leader in his efforts to counter Russia's strong - and growing - influence in Africa.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a post on social media platform X on Thursday that he had spoken to U.S. President Donald Trump on the peace process in Ukraine and the need to foster good bilateral relations.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said during a visit by Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday that peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow should start without preconditions such as Ukraine ceding land to Russia.