Ukraine strengthens ties with Africa, opens embassy in Rwanda

During the first-ever visit to Rwanda, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Vincent Biruta, in the capital, Kigali, and announced the opening of an embassy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that at the end of 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky set a straightforward task for Ukrainian diplomacy to expand its presence in Africa. 

"After carefully analyzing the task, we decided to open new embassies in African countries, one of which we will open in Rwanda," said Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. "The Rwandan side has already consented to create a Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Kigali."

The ministry stressed that the minister made his first visit to Rwanda on Africa Day and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (African Union).

During the negotiations, the ministers discussed Zelensky's Ukraine Peace Formula, which will help establish a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and guarantee security in the world, particularly in Africa. Kuleba invited Rwanda to join the implementation of the Peace Formula.

"Ukraine's victory will significantly reduce the negative influence of Russia on the African continent, which, with the help of Wagner PMC fighters, destabilizes the internal situation in several African countries and engages in the illegal extraction of their minerals," Ukraine's top diplomat said. "It is critically important to join our efforts to counter common challenges and threats." 

Parties also discussed food security in Africa, the export of Ukrainian grain within the  Black Sea Grain Initiative, and the Grain From Ukraine humanitarian program. 

Kuleba and Biruta signed a memorandum on political consultations of Ukraine and Rwanda's foreign affairs ministries, agreeing on the first round of talks in an expanded format. Various departments of Ukraine and Rwanda will identify specific common interests in trade, digitalization of public services, aerospace, construction, education, and pharmaceuticals.

Kuleba and Biruta also agreed to hold a business forum shortly with the participation of Ukrainian and Rwandan businesses. Finally, the minister invited his Rwandan colleague to visit Ukraine.

Background

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Kuleba, is visiting African countries to promote President Volodymyr Zelensky's Peace Formula and to open new perspectives for the country.

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, wants to organize a summit of Latin America and Ukraine and personally visit it. Ukraine also seeks to develop relations with the countries of the African continent.