South Africans Reject Ramaphosa’s Focus on Russia-Ukraine Conflict While Local Issues Persist

• President Cyril Ramaphosa is committed to continuous engagements with European leaders on the Russia-Ukraine peace efforts
• The Presidency said Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of holding bilateral and trilateral meetings between the leaders
• The Presidency confirmed that more engagements are expected in the coming weeks

The Presidency stated that President Ramaphosa emphasised the urgency of holding bilateral and trilateral meetings between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, describing them as crucial for demonstrating a strong commitment to ending the war.

What did the Presidency say?

President Cyril Ramaphosa engaged in discussions with European leaders regarding efforts to achieve peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with further meetings expected in the coming days and weeks.

The Presidency stated that Ramaphosa highlighted the meetings as essential to demonstrate a firm commitment to ending the war. Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that Saturday’s, 23 August 2025, phone calls followed meetings convened by US President Donald Trump with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, along with several other European leaders.

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Ramaphosa speaks to European leaders

President Ramaphosa spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Finland's President Alexander Stubb.

According to the Presidency, European leaders openly shared their perspectives during the discussions, expressed appreciation for South Africa’s role in engaging with both sides of the conflict, and assured President Ramaphosa of their firm commitment to supporting efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

What did South Africans say?

Social media users had mixed opinions regarding the talks.

@m8rksa said:

"I wish CR would put this kind of effort into sorting out crime and other hot topics in South Africa."

@GertHendrikse said:

"Why would he be taken serious or are they even entertain him on the international front, when he can’t even attempt or sort SA’s issues??"

@Richard70641109 said:

"It would be better if our President addressed the problem of South African citizens."

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@bashiersallie said:

"My President talks everything under the sun except for what he should be talking about."

@HendrikBotha61 said:

"So the ANC criminal enterprise of South Africa discussing peace between Russia and Ukraine on the one side and on the other side stand behind terrorists like Hamas and Iran."

@PretoriaJack said:

"You cannot even negotiate peace in single suburbs in South Africa, now you are a specialist in peace talks where other countries are involved. It's such a shame."

@BafanaSurprise said:

"This is a Man who rules a Country with porous borders, 80 murders daily, over 50 cases of rape everyday, 63% youth unemployment rate, infrastructure at decay, we have over thousands of abandoned buildings, 6000 abandoned mineral mines!"

@lynettekoen said:

"He can’t sort out the mess in his own country, but involve himself in other countries business that doesn’t concern him. “ Clean your own doorstep, before you clean someone else’s."

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President Cyril Ramaphosa confirms phone call with Vladimir Putin

In a previous article, Briefly News reported, South Africa and Russia will continue to have open lines of communication and maintain their cooperation on issues of bilateral interests.

That’s according to the Presidency, which confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa had a phone call with President Vladimir Putin. The pair spoke to each other on 18 August 2025.

Source: Briefly News