Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, stated that Ukraine's strategy regarding relations with the African continent is not to replace Russia but to liberate Africa from Russian control.
In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Kuleba noted that Ukraine is making systematic efforts to "revive" its relations with Africa. He also emphasized that Russia uses "pressure, bribery, and fear" to maintain its influence on this continent.
"For too many years, things were wasted, but we will be moving forward with Ukrainian-African renaissance, reviving these relations. This continent requires systematic and long-term work," said the Foreign Minister.
According to Kuleba, there is a "slow erosion of Russia's positions in Africa," citing Liberia, Kenya, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Equatorial Guinea as new partners for Ukraine on the continent.
"We do not want to be Russia. Our strategy is not about replacing Russia, but about liberating Africa from the Russian grip," explained the minister, adding that "Ukraine would like to build relations with Africa "with respect and on principles of mutual benefit."
He also noted that Russia has "two most powerful tools for work in Africa: propaganda and the Wagner Group."
Speaking about Russia's exit from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Kuleba emphasized that "people in Africa saw that all of Putin's stories about how he cares for African countries are lies".
