Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit South Africa next month, the African country’s presidency announced.

The statement by South Africa revealed that the visit is a continuation of ongoing engagements on an inclusive peace process between Russia and Ukraine.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last week invited Zelensky on a state visit, after heavy criticism of moves by Russia and the United States to negotiate an end to the war through a process to which neither Ukraine nor its European allies were invited.

Ramaphosa said in a post on X that South Africa remains committed to supporting the dialogue process between Russia and Ukraine, noting that the two leaders have a constructive engagement and agree on the urgent need for an inclusive peace process that involves all parties.

Zelensky therefore thanked Ramaphosa for supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, just as he hoped for peace this year.