Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described as "lengthy and fruitful" a call with President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday, providing a long list of issues that they discussed, some of them highly sensitive to South Africa's partner, Russia.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, Ramaphosa had said nothing at all about the call, and his office was not available on Wednesday morning to confirm it had happened at all.

According to Zelensky's office, Ramaphosa agreed on the need to continue exporting Ukrainian grain, which is critical for the world's food security.

Zelensky had invited South Africa to take part in a summit on the Grain from Ukraine initiative, he said.

Russia has promised to send countries, including Zimbabwe, a vast amount of free grain, under its Black Sea initiative. That promises to disrupt the regional grain market, where South Africa is a key exporter.

Zelensky's office said the two also "exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and discussed the possibility of evacuating South African citizens from the conflict zone in the region".

Ukraine said Zelensky had discussed his Ukrainian Peace Formula with Ramaphosa, which insists that Russia must withdraw its troops and face justice for its attempt to wipe Ukraine off the map. It did not say how Ramaphosa responded, though Zelensky separately said South Africa had agreed to be involved in further peace talks.

"It is very important that South Africa supports the Ukrainian Peace Formula and is ready to participate in the next rounds of negotiations on its implementation," was all Zelensky's office shared.