Zelenskyy cuts short visit to RSA due to massive russian attack

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to cut short his visit to the Republic of South Africa (RSA) and return to Ukraine due to the massive russian attack on Ukraine on the night of April 24. Zelenskyy announced this on his Telegram channel, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"Today, I will inform President Ramaphosa of RSA, who chairs the G20, about the situation and our need to intensify global diplomatic efforts. The cessation of strikes is needed immediately and unconditionally. We also expect assistance in humanitarian issues - in the return of our captives and Ukrainian children abducted by russia. I am canceling part of the program of this visit and, after meeting with the President of RSA, I will immediately return to Ukraine," he said.

Zelenskyy added that Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will hold all necessary meetings in South Africa to fully inform the country's political and public leaders about the situation.

The President stressed that it has been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to the US proposal for a complete ceasefire and strikes, while russia continues to kill people and avoid tough pressure and responsibility for this.

He reported that on the night of April 24, russia launched about 70 missiles and almost 150 strike drones into Ukraine, causing a lot of destruction, more than 80 people were injured throughout Ukraine, and 9 people were killed in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy also reported that he had instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to immediately contact partners regarding Ukraine's requests to strengthen air defense.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Zelenskyy arrived on a visit to the Republic of South Africa on April 24 to meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and representatives of political, civil, and student communities in African countries.

Commenting on his visit to South Africa, Zelenskyy noted that it is important to bring a decent peace closer and involve the G20 countries in diplomatic efforts. Ukraine also counts on the active participation of South Africa in the international coalition to return thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by russia.