Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba is set to visit the Republic of South Africa on November 6 for official talks aimed at boosting trade ties, addressing regional food security in Africa, and discussing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace formula. This information comes from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which outlined the trip and its objectives.
It marks the first visit by Ukraine’s top diplomat to South Africa since 1998. During the visit, Kuleba will meet with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor in Pretoria. The discussions are expected to cover expanding bilateral commerce, broader economic cooperation, and ways to ensure stable food supplies for African nations amid global food-security concerns, according to official statements from Kyiv.
In Pretoria, the Ukrainian minister will also engage with students and educators at the University of Pretoria, where policy topics and regional security issues will be on the agenda. The appearance underscores Kyiv’s effort to deepen partnerships with African countries during a period of heightened international attention to security and humanitarian matters.
Earlier in November, Kuleba spoke with viewers on the German broadcaster ZDF. He asserted that Kyiv is not conducting secret negotiations with Moscow and sees little value in such talks unless Russia commits to accepted conditions. The diplomat stressed that if Russia fails to meet the requirements of the peace framework proposed by Zelenskyy, meaningful dialogue would be unlikely to proceed. This stance reflects Kyiv’s position on negotiating terms and highlights the importance placed on mutual assurances before any formal negotiations.
Separately, Ukrainian officials have reiterated the conditions for negotiations with Russia, emphasizing the need for concrete steps aligned with Ukraine’s sovereignty, security guarantees, and regional stability. The government continues to frame talks within the framework of international law and allied support, while pursuing avenues for dialogue with a focus on verifiable commitments and guarantees for peace.