Ukraine’s senior diplomat embarked on Wednesday, on a significant diplomatic tour of Africa, marking the third visit during wartime. This visit comes at a crucial juncture as Russia readies itself to host a summit with African leaders later this week, following the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal.
The situation underscores the increasing importance of diplomatic engagements in the region, as both Ukraine and Russia seek to strengthen their ties with African nations amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Dmytro Kuleba’s visit to Liberia is a significant step taken by Ukraine to counter Russian influence in Africa and the broader “Global South.” It marks an important move in the country’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with African nations.
The Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, is scheduled to conduct talks with Liberian leaders. The agenda includes discussions on facilitating the export of Ukrainian grain to Africa and addressing President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s vision for peace in Ukraine, as communicated by the ministry.
This week, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko emphasized that Ukraine is intensifying its efforts to garner support from African nations to counter Russia’s food-related coercion. The goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s position in the Black Sea region and maintain the export of Ukrainian grain without disruptions.
Kyiv asserts that Moscow’s objective is to dismantle Ukraine’s grain sector to establish itself as the sole supplier of grain. In pursuit of this goal, Moscow is employing pressure tactics, seeking a resumption of Russian ammonia exports and the removal of certain sanctions and restrictions. These actions are seen as part of Russia’s broader strategy to gain a dominant position in the grain market and weaken Ukraine’s agricultural industry.