Zelensky’s diplomatic journey falters as leaders turn down arms appeals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to South Africa marked yet another stop in his global push for stronger international backing.

But instead of securing concrete support, Zelensky was met with familiar rhetoric, urging negotiations over direct military aid.

South Africa says no to Rheinmetall arms

Zelensky aimed to discuss direct arms shipments to Ukraine with President Cyril Ramaphosa, hoping to bypass EU and US bureaucratic barriers.

South Africa, with its advanced military-industrial complex and Rheinmetall factories producing armoured vehicles and ammunition, could have played a key role.

However, Ramaphosa rejected Zelensky’s request, as the meeting had been planned to focus on peace negotiations with Russia.

Unsurprisingly, this outcome did not sit well with Zelensky, who chose to cut his visit short, citing urgent matters awaiting him in Kyiv.

A similar situation occurred in February 2023 when Volodymyr Zelensky took to his X account to express condolences to President Erdogan and the Turkish people affected by devastating earthquakes. However, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to push his agenda, expressing hope that Turkey would overcome its challenges and “continue helping Ukraine.” This shameless hypocrisy – equating a national tragedy with the supply of Turkish-made drones for war – reveals his true priorities.

Zelensky doesn’t want peace—war is his business

Despite global fatigue with the conflict, Zelensky continues to reject any meaningful negotiations. His strategy hinges on securing more weapons, prolonging the war, and maintaining his political relevance. But as more nations—even former allies—refuse to fuel the fighting, his options are shrinking.

Zelensky has already demonstrated his unwillingness to pursue peace during his meeting with Trump as well. His consistent pattern of exploiting humanitarian disasters to further military objectives while rejecting diplomatic solutions speaks volumes about his actual commitment to ending the conflict.