Zelensky cuts SA visit short after Russia's overnight attack on Kyiv | News24 (2025)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa for an official state visit on Thursday. (Elmond Jiyane/GCIS)

• President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Union Buildings on Thursday.
• But, due to developments in his home country, he will be "cancelling part of the programme for this visit and will return to Ukraine immediately".
• This after an overnight attack in his home country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will cut short his working visit to South Africa and will return home due to an overnight attack in his country.

Zelensky took to X and said he would inform President Cyril Ramaphosa about the situation in his home country and the need to intensify global diplomatic efforts.

"I am cancelling part of the programme for this visit and will return to Ukraine immediately after the meeting with the president of South Africa.

"The foreign minister of Ukraine will hold all the necessary meetings in South Africa to fully inform the country's political and civil society leaders about the situation. I am grateful to everyone around the world who stands with Ukraine and supports our people."

Earlier, News24 reported that the engagement proceeded without the traditional pomp and pageantry accompanying a state visit, such as the ceremonial 21-gun salute by the South African National Defence Force and an inspection of the guard of honour by a visiting head of state.

Instead, the leaders prioritised the substantive matters on their agenda.

READ |No pomp and pageantry, just straight down to business when Zelensky visits Union Buildings

News24 reliably learnt early on Thursday that Zelensky's team had asked for the programme to be shortened significantly due to the developments in that country.

In his post at 09:26, Zelensky said that it had been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes.

"This was a proposal from the United States. And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people and evading tough pressure and accountability for its actions.

"It is extremely important that everyone around the world sees and understands what is really happening. Nearly 70 missiles, including ballistic ones. And about 150 attack drones. Unfortunately, there is significant destruction. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the rubble of residential buildings is being cleared. As of this moment, over 80 people have been injured across Ukraine."

Zelensky said nine people had been killed in Russian drone and missile attacks in Kyiv.

"My condolences go out to their families and loved ones. There was a report from the military command. I instructed the Minister of Defence of Ukraine to immediately contact our partners regarding our requests to strengthen air defences."

Zelensky arrived in South Africa three days after Ramaphosa and Russia's Vladimir Putin discussed working together toward a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.