PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa for a state visit Thursday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s new accusations that he is prolonging the war against Russia by pushing back against any plan to give up Ukrainian territory in a peace deal.

Zelensky's visit to South Africa at this point was especially significant, as Ukraine's relationship with the US - its main weapons supplier - has soured since President Donald Trump took office in January. He briefly paused military aid, denounced Zelenksy as a "dictator", and has accused Ukraine of being responsible for the war.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a post on social media platform X on Thursday that he had spoken to U.S. President Donald Trump on the peace process in Ukraine and the need to foster good bilateral relations.