Neutrality Not an Option: Ukrainian FM Urged Africa to Take Stand on Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Ukraine's FM Dmytro Kuleba
Image Credit: Google

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba once again urged the countries part of African Union to leave their stances of neutrality towards Ukraine’s war with Russia.

 Background of the Statement:

Majority of the African states including Ethiopia refused to take sides in the Ukraine's conflict, with several abstaining from votes at the United Nations General Assembly that was meant to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

 Ukrainian FM:

Kuleba who is on his visit to Africa told the AU member states while delivering in a press brief in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, said that Ukraine was “very upset that some African countries chose to abstain”. He added further by asking them to extend Diplomatic support to Ukraine.

 According to him, “Neutrality is not the answer,” because, as he said, “By being neutral towards Russian aggression against Ukraine, you project neutrality to the violations of borders and mass crimes that may occur very close to you.”

 About Russian Presence in Africa:

Russia, through its organization has developed a substantial presence in several parts of African continent, where Russian private military contractor Wagner is active, and recently held joint military drills with South Africa. Russia also intended to hold an Afro-Russian summit in July 2023.

 Urging African Union to endorse Ukraine's 10-Point Peace Plan:

Ukrainian Foreign Minister urged African states to endorse the “10-Point Peace Plan” proposed by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in December and emphasised his wish to establish “mutually beneficial” ties with Africa.

Extension of Support:

The offered to extend support in the fields of trade, energy, technology and pharmaceuticals.

 “We have to remind each other of the importance of Africa to Ukraine and the importance of Ukraine to Africa,” Kubela said by admitting that Ukraine’s previous attitude towards the continent was characterised by “inertia.”

 Both Ukraine and Russia supply a significant amount of grain to Africa.

 Ukraine’s FM currently on official Tours:

In a series of diplomatic visits, Ukrainian top leadership and authorities are seeking support from different regions of the world. Kubela is currently on an African tour that also includes visits to Morocco and Rwanda.

 In Ethiopia, he held discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat and Azali Assoumani, the president of the Comoros and current chair of the continent-wide body.

 Kubela made his first trip to Africa in October last year when he visited Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Kenya. The trip was shortened after Russia launched strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure at that time.

 Russian FM:

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has also been active in shoring up ties with African countries since the Ukraine war broke out, touring the continent once in 2021 and making at least two visits so far this year.

 (Courtesy: AP, Taiwan News)