Ukraine FM says Africa on similar boat as Kyiv, slams Moscow for triggering disaster | World News

Africa and Ukraine are in "the identical boat", Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned Thursday, accusing Moscow of triggering a worldwide disaster that has left the continent reeling from meals shortages.

"Every Russian rocket will not be solely hitting Ukrainians, it additionally harms the standard of life for Africans," Kuleba informed a digital press briefing after recent strikes towards Ukraine compelled him to chop brief his tour of the continent.

He fired again at accusations by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who mentioned final month that "virtually all" the Ukrainian grain shipped underneath a UN-backed deal to ease the worldwide meals disaster was being despatched to wealthy European nations as an alternative of drought-stricken nations in Africa.

"Since July, 830,000 tonnes of grains have been delivered to African states," he mentioned.

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Ukraine's prime diplomat started a tour of the continent final week, visiting Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Kenya, earlier than a spherical of punishing strikes on Kyiv and different cities compelled him to go again dwelling on Monday.

The 4 nations had been amongst 143 nations on the United Nations Normal Meeting to vote in favour of a decision on Wednesday condemning Russia's annexations of components of Ukraine.

"I used to be significantly happy to see that each one the 4 nations that I visited in Africa... supported this decision," Kuleba mentioned.

He additionally welcomed Eritrea's determination to abstain from voting, seven months after the nation -- one of many world's most closed nations -- voted towards the March decision condemning Russia's preliminary invasion of Ukraine.

"It's a transfer in the precise path," Kuleba mentioned, additionally noting the absention of the Central African Republic, the place Russia-linked mercenaries from the Wagner group have been accused of rights abuses.

He added that Ukraine stood able to welcome Senegalese President Macky Sall, who can be the chairman of the African Union, however mentioned no date had been set for the go to.