Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is set to embark on a strategic diplomatic tour of three African nations, aiming to garner essential support for Their stance in the war.
This visit marks Kuleba’s fourth diplomatic mission to Africa in the past two years, underscoring Ukraine’s persistent efforts to strengthen alliances on the continent. Scheduled for August 4-8, the tour will include stops in Malawi, Zambia, and Mauritius, as reported by Reuters. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized the significance of the trip, stating:
“All meetings will focus on the development of bilateral relations based on mutual respect and interests. Among the key topics will be the participation of African states in global efforts to restore a just peace for Ukraine and the world.”
African nations have so far been cautious in joining Western efforts to isolate Russia, given Russia’s role as a major supplier of energy and commodities. Despite this, some African countries participated in a Ukraine-focused conference held in Switzerland last June.
The upcoming talks will prioritize two critical issues:
- The supply of Ukrainian grain to the African region and
- the involvement of African companies in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
These topics are expected to be central to the discussions as Ukraine seeks to deepen its diplomatic and economic ties with Africa. In a bid to enhance its presence and influence, it has recently opened new embassies in several African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Rwanda, Botswana, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
As the war continues to intensify with no signs of a truce, the diplomatic outreach to Africa represents a crucial effort to rally international support and collaboration.
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