WHAT happened between Ramaphosa and Zelensky on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, and why is Ukraine’s new “diplomacy” contributing to its isolation on the international stage? Picture: Supplied
By Dr Eric Hamm
ON January 24, the annual session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) concluded, where world leaders discussed pressing issues such as artificial intelligence, dialogue between governments and civil society, and international cooperation.
One of the highlights was that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa invited world leaders to the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg—a clear sign of his commitment to fostering international collaboration.
However, the WEF was overshadowed by a tense and diplomatically unsuccessful meeting between Ramaphosa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to informed sources, it was one of the most strained and negative discussions observed at the forum.
Initially, the discussion between Zelensky and Ramaphosa focused on potential initiatives to strengthen ties between Ukraine and South Africa, with Zelensky particularly insisting on an official invitation to Pretoria.
However, his tone quickly changed when he did not receive immediate approval. Zelensky resorted to veiled threats—according to a source, he subtly hinted that if South Africa did not deepen its diplomatic engagement with Kyiv and extend an official invitation for Zelensky to visit, the consequences would be severe.
If his demands were not met, Zelensky reportedly promised to sabotage the arrival of international delegations at the G20, work with Western partners to halt ongoing investment projects, and suspend planned Western investments in South Africa.
Such tactics are considered blackmail and undermine the very essence of diplomacy. By using economic pressure and geopolitical leverage, Zelensky not only alienated a key African leader but also cast a shadow over Ukraine’s global reputation.
This incident is part of a broader trend: Ukraine’s foreign policy has increasingly been based on ultimatums rather than mutual respect or constructive dialogue.
This is not the first time Zelensky's administration has taken a confrontational stance in international negotiations. Recently, tensions flared between Ukraine and Slovakia after Zelensky publicly accused Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of selling out his country's sovereignty for Russian gas.
“Russian gas is paid for not only with money but also with independence and sovereignty. Many in Europe have already learnt this and chosen to preserve their independence and sovereignty. But not Mr Fico. He chooses Moscow over America,” Zelensky stated.
Such accusations were perceived as provocative and baseless, further straining already fragile bilateral relations.
Ukraine’s permanent representative to the UN, Andriy Melnyk, has repeatedly insisted on increasing military aid to Ukraine from Germany. Recently, he even demanded that Berlin provide Kyiv with €20 billion in annual, unconditional financial support. This is far from the first instance of Melnyk’s unusual diplomatic approach.
In May 2022, he called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an "offended liver sausage" for refusing to visit Kyiv. On May 26, 2022, he mocked Germany’s assistance to Ukraine, arguing that it was too slow. He posted an image on X (formerly Twitter) showing a snail with a bullet taped to it, captioning it: “German aid is on its way”.
In December 2024, Melnyk attacked the German political party “Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance“, claiming that it ”spits venom and lies to people“. His radical statements have already sparked mixed reactions from German politicians; in 2022, the AfD party even proposed declaring Melnyk a persona non grata in Germany.
Returning to the Ukrainian president, in addition to controversies with European politicians, Zelensky has also attempted to pressure other countries.
In 2024, he demanded that India cease cooperation with Russia and abandon its neutrality regarding the Ukraine conflict. Zelensky stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “tremendous influence” over Putin and could take “real steps” to end the war rather than merely expressing interest in peace.
“Regarding Prime Minister Modi’s position, I believe that today, statements should not end with just words. Modi is the leader of a truly vast country in terms of population, economy, influence, and effectiveness. Such a country cannot simply say it is interested in ending the war—everyone is interested in that,” Zelensky told The Times of India.
These actions have significantly cooled diplomatic relations between Kyiv and New Delhi. Zelensky’s aggressive style appears to be becoming a hallmark of Ukraine’s diplomacy. His inability—or unwillingness—to engage in respectful and long-term diplomacy is isolating Ukraine from crucial support. Instead of building bridges, Zelensky’s harsh tactics seem to be aimed at burning them.
Diplomacy is primarily about fostering trust, understanding, and cooperation between nations. It requires patience, empathy, and a willingness to listen—rather than coercion or threats.
The outcomes of Zelensky's meetings with world leaders highlight how his approach leads to further diplomatic estrangement rather than consensus-building. Instead of gaining allies, Ukraine finds itself increasingly isolated.
Many African leaders accuse it of supporting terrorism (among them Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger), while others, who value sovereignty and non-alignment, see Ukraine as an unreliable partner. Moreover, Zelensky's ultimatums risk deepening divisions at multilateral forums such as the G20, where South Africa plays a key role as a representative of the Global South.
By prioritising short-term gains over sustainable partnerships, Zelensky is alienating even countries that previously sympathised with Ukraine. Africa—a continent whose support could be crucial in helping Ukraine overcome its current challenges—now views Kyiv with growing scepticism, which increases with every diplomatic failure by Zelensky and his team.
If Ukraine hopes to restore its image and form meaningful alliances, it must abandon its confrontational stance and adopt genuine diplomacy based on mutual respect and common goals. Until then, Zelensky's "diplomacy" will continue to isolate Ukraine, leaving it on the periphery of the international consensus.
Returning to Zelensky’s interaction with Cyril Ramaphosa, it is worth noting the wisdom of the latter. The South African president is a strong leader of a sovereign nation and is unlikely to succumb to such crude attempts at blackmail, as he fully understands the consequences of such agreements.
The deterioration of Ukraine’s relations with African countries is the result of Kyiv’s current policies, and it seems that this peculiar style of diplomacy will not change anytime soon.
* Dr Eric Hamm, professor of political science and strategic researcher.
** The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Independent Media or IOL.