Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a videoconference with Ukrainian ambassadors serving in African countries to discuss the strengthening of cooperation between the countries. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Brusylo.
Andriy Yermak recalled that, on the instructions of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s political presence on the African continent has significantly expanded in recent years – including the opening of eight new diplomatic missions. Ukraine now maintains 18 representative offices across Africa, all of which play an essential role in countering Russia’s long-standing influence on the continent.
“We need a pro-Ukrainian Africa. I’m calling for 24/7 engagement – we don’t have time for drawn-out processes, because we are at war and we’re paying a high price every single day. Every form of assistance matters. This is about support, and it’s about geopolitics,” the Head of the Office of the President emphasized.
He identified the top priorities as intensifying engagement with African government officials at all levels and involving African states in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
The conversation also addressed the development of trade and economic relations, military-technical cooperation, collaboration in the field of education, and the activation of ties at the level of intergovernmental commissions.