Dmytro Kuleba, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, kicked off his tour of the African continent this week in Senegal, where he made a vow that his troubled nation would do all in its power to increase grain exports to Africa.
During a press conference with his Senegalese counterpart, Aissata Tall Sall, Kuleba said, “His country will do everything it can to keep sending Ukrainian grain to Africa and the rest of the world to make sure there is enough food for everyone.” Tall Sall said, “We will do our best until the last breath to continue exporting Ukrainian grain to Africa and the world for food security.”
Several African countries’ economies depend on the grain they buy from Russia and Ukraine. Because there are shortages in the market, Russia has been trying to make the West look like the bad guy by blaming it for rising food prices.
Over 25 African countries either didn’t vote or didn’t abstain from the UN resolution that condemned the violence in Ukraine earlier this year. Senegal’s president warned the United Nations General Assembly the previous month that Africa “does not want to be the birthing ground of a new Cold War.” Senegal was one of the countries that chose to abstain from the vote.
Even though Ukraine is neutral on several issues, its foreign minister has said that the government wants to strengthen its ties to Africa.
On Monday, Kuleba said, “I do not come to Africa against anyone.” “It is necessary for us to collaborate more closely with one another. “The relationships we cultivate and our day-to-day experiences will determine our destiny.”
The minister for Ukraine voiced their disagreement with Russia’s words.
“If the Senegalese listen to the misinformation coming from Russia, they could be taken aback. Russia wants the world to assume that the conflict is taking place because Ukraine is seeking membership in NATO. The nation of Finland expresses interest in joining. “Despite this, Russia did not launch an attack on it,” he stated.
“Russia shares the view that we constitute a single people. This is not accurate at all,” Kuleba stated. “There is a difference in the language that we speak. Our people and our culture are distinct from those of other nations. “You would not accept a doctrine imposed on you by another person, even if they tried.”