The Ukrainian president's first visit to South Africa comes amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a peace deal with Russia. Experts say South Africa can serve as a mediator on humanitarian issues.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Ukrainian counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have used the official visit to deepen bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa for a state visit Thursday following U.S. President Donald Trump's new accusations that he is prolonging the war against Russia by pushing back against any plan to give up Ukrainian territory in a peace deal.