"Even when the conflict becomes the most intense, that is when peace should be made," Ramaphosa told a press conference, adding that it is better to end the conflict before everything is lost.
Ramaphosa added that African countries were ready to continue working on resolving the Ukrainian conflict.
"We, as the African countries, are prepared to participate in further engagement," Ramaphosa stated.
Zelensky has rejected the possibility of talks with Russia until it withdraws all troops, stating that any negotiations would only freeze the conflict.
In November 2022, Zelensky said in a video message to the G20 summit that Kiev did not want to sign a peace agreement that would be against its interests and which Moscow would allegedly "violate immediately after the signing."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on Zelensky's statement, said that his words "absolutely confirm" Kiev's unwillingness to negotiate.