Ukraine says African Union visit aims to open bilateral dialogue ‘in new way’

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Ukrainian foreign minister on Wednesday said his visit to the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa was aimed at opening bilateral dialogue between Kyiv and the continent in a “new way.”

A statement by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said Dmytro Kuleba held a meeting with AU head Azali Assoumani and AU Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat, which coincided with the celebration of Africa Day commemorating the founding of the Organization of African Unity, the AU’s precedent, in 1963.

Kuleba explained Ukraine's course to intensify relations with African countries, saying that it will create “new mutually beneficial opportunities” for Ukraine and AU member states, as well as for businesses and citizens on both sides.

"(Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy's active dialogue with African leaders and my first-ever tour of the African continent last fall launched the renaissance of Ukrainian-African relations," Kuleba said.

“My visit to the headquarters of the African Union on the eve of Africa Day aims to open Ukraine to Africa and Africa to Ukraine in a new way. We strive to make our dialogue more systematic and regular, so that Ukraine and African countries understand each other even better," he said.

Kuleba also drew attention to the “negative consequences” of the Russia-Ukraine war on Africa, such as increasing food prices, intensification of the Wagner paramilitary group’s activities, and a drop in socio-economic indicators.

"Russia's war against Ukraine is felt all over the world, in particular on the African continent. It is critically important to join forces to put an end to Russian aggression based on the principles of the UN Charter and the Ukrainian peace formula," he added.

Kuleba began a tour of African countries this week, being seen as a bid to challenge Russia, which has been nurturing ties in Africa for years and plans to hold an Africa-Russia summit in St. Petersburg in July.

He met Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on Monday in Rabat. It is his second tour of Africa since Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine launched last February.