Natalie Nyathi
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa received a phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 18, 2025, to discuss the outcome of Putin’s recent summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska. The call highlights the ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the conflict in Ukraine and the importance of South Africa’s role in these discussions.
During the conversation, Putin conveyed his satisfaction with the talks held with President Trump, noting an emerging alignment on the peace process. Ramaphosa, in turn, expressed his support for diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine. He also emphasized the need for greater compromise on key issues to secure a lasting peace.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining open communication channels and continuing cooperation on matters of mutual interest. This call is part of a series of international discussions Putin is holding to inform his counterparts about the results of the Alaska summit. These calls included discussions with leaders from India, Brazil, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
The meeting between Putin and Trump in Alaska marked the first time that the leaders of the United States and Russia have met since the beginning of the Ukraine war in February 2022. Following the summit, Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders to further efforts toward a peace deal.
The relationship between Russia and South Africa is built on a solid foundation with nearly seventy agreements covering various sectors, including investment, energy, and agriculture. South Africa was the first African nation to establish diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation on February 28, 1992. These relations have remained strong, characterized by political dialogue and cooperation on international platforms such as BRICS.