Ukraine to boost diplomacy in Africa, other regions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said
on Friday that Kyiv would intensify diplomatic efforts in Africa, Latin America
and Asia to take advantage of "colossal economic potential" and other
international benefits.
African countries have had varying
responses to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as some countries like South
Africa have close trade and security ties with Russia they do not want to
jeopardise.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said
diplomats would focus on countries where Ukraine has lesser influence,
particularly in the Global South.
"There is colossal economic potential and
considerable diplomatic avenues," he said.
He singled out votes in support of Ukraine
from developing countries at the United Nations General Assembly as it fights
off Russia's 10-month-old invasion.
Ukraine also seeks to develop ties with its
traditional partners "to make next year the decisive one in this war so
that Ukraine attains its goals."
In earlier comments to diplomats, Zelenskiy singled out attempts
to expand ties with Africa. Ukraine has been trying to rally African countries
to its cause by promoting a humanitarian grain initiative to alleviate famine
in vulnerable countries.
Russia's blockade of Ukrainian
agricultural exports through the Black Sea sparked global grain and fertiliser
shortages this year, endangering millions before a U.N.-brokered deal partially
eased it in July.
"We are overhauling relations with dozens of African
countries," Zelenskiy told the diplomats. "Next year we need to
strengthen this."
Zelenskiy said Ukraine also
wants to set up trade representative offices in several hubs on the continent.
He did not specify where those
new embassies or trade offices would be located, but added that he would like
Ukraine to eventually be represented in 30 countries on the continent.
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