Despite accusing South Africa of " white genocide ," US President Donald Trump struck a more casual tone during his meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House . In a candid moment, Trump revealed he had tried to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and was surprised to learn he was in South Africa.
“I called Zelenskyy and was told he was in South Africa. I said, ‘What the hell is he doing in South Africa?’” Trump said, drawing laughter from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said, “He was meeting with us.”
The exchange happened during Ramaphosa’s official visit to Washington, where he met Trump to discuss trade relations. Although the meeting was framed around a possible trade agreement, South African officials described it as a chance to "rethink bilateral, economic and trade relations" amid recent tensions. The US froze aid to South Africa in February over allegations of mistreatment of the country’s white minority.
The topic of Ukraine also surfaced during the meeting. Trump brought up his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin . “The day before yesterday, I spoke with President Putin for 2.5 hours. I think we have made significant progress, but it is a bloodbath. 5,000 people are killed every week. 5,000 soldiers a week. Not counting the people in towns and villages who are also being killed. So we are trying to help. It doesn't concern us. These are not our people,” Trump said.
Ramaphosa reminded Trump of their previous conversation when Zelenskyy visited South Africa. “You remember when President Zelenskyy came to South Africa, that's when I spoke to you. We both agreed that we need to promote a message of peace so that they can live in peace,” he said.
He also voiced support for efforts to end the war: “We have been involved in Ukrainian-Russian relations for quite some time, so I can only recall the exchange of children (...), and the steps you are taking are fully supported by us, we would like to see an end to this war.”
Zelenskyy’s April visit to South Africa included meetings with Ramaphosa, political leaders, student groups and members of the public. The trip was part of Kyiv’s push to build diplomatic ties with African nations amid the ongoing war with Russia.
“I called Zelenskyy and was told he was in South Africa. I said, ‘What the hell is he doing in South Africa?’” Trump said, drawing laughter from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said, “He was meeting with us.”
‘I called Zelensky and they told me he’s in South Africa.
— African (@ali_naka) May 21, 2025
I said what the hell is he doing in South Africa?’ TRUMP pic.twitter.com/g9WIyunan2
The exchange happened during Ramaphosa’s official visit to Washington, where he met Trump to discuss trade relations. Although the meeting was framed around a possible trade agreement, South African officials described it as a chance to "rethink bilateral, economic and trade relations" amid recent tensions. The US froze aid to South Africa in February over allegations of mistreatment of the country’s white minority.
The topic of Ukraine also surfaced during the meeting. Trump brought up his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin . “The day before yesterday, I spoke with President Putin for 2.5 hours. I think we have made significant progress, but it is a bloodbath. 5,000 people are killed every week. 5,000 soldiers a week. Not counting the people in towns and villages who are also being killed. So we are trying to help. It doesn't concern us. These are not our people,” Trump said.
Ramaphosa reminded Trump of their previous conversation when Zelenskyy visited South Africa. “You remember when President Zelenskyy came to South Africa, that's when I spoke to you. We both agreed that we need to promote a message of peace so that they can live in peace,” he said.
He also voiced support for efforts to end the war: “We have been involved in Ukrainian-Russian relations for quite some time, so I can only recall the exchange of children (...), and the steps you are taking are fully supported by us, we would like to see an end to this war.”
Zelenskyy’s April visit to South Africa included meetings with Ramaphosa, political leaders, student groups and members of the public. The trip was part of Kyiv’s push to build diplomatic ties with African nations amid the ongoing war with Russia.
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