diplomatic

The journey to Rome could also provide an opportunity for diplomatic encounters.

But analysts say Washington's inability to secure the supply of rare earths has become one of the Trump administration's chief anxieties, especially as diplomatic tensions with Beijing have deepened.

On Wednesday evening Delhi announced a raft of diplomatic measures against Islamabad in light of the killings in Kashmir - one of them was shutting the Attari-Wagah border between the two countries immediately.

Zelensky said in a post on X that he would return to Ukraine "immediately" after meeting his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa as part of his trip to ramp up diplomatic efforts.

The visit marks a diplomatic breakthrough for the Ukrainian leader in his efforts to counter Russia's strong - and growing - influence in Africa.