Ukrainian president to pay state visit to South Africa

By Jamal Jamal

LILONGWE, Malawi (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will arrive in South Africa on Thursday for a two-day state visit at President Cyril Ramaphosa's invitation.

President's spokesperson Vincent Mangwenya said in a statement on Wednesday that the trip, the first by a Ukrainian president, will allow both countries to discuss bilateral relationships and expand cooperation in trade and agriculture.

Magwenya says the trip will also allow him to look into efforts to achieve long-term peace.

The trip follows Ramaphosa's visit to Ukraine in 2023 as part of the Africa Peace Initiative.