Ukraine Tasks Nigeria, Others to Join Food Exports Efforts

By Adedapo Adesanya

Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Dmytro Kuleba, has called on Nigeria and other African countries to join efforts to guarantee food exports from the war-torn country.

The European country, a major food exporter, has faced problems since Russia attacked it more than a year ago. As the war advanced, both countries reached an agreement and signed an export deal. However, last week Russia withdrew from the Grain Agreement.

Now, Mr Kuleba, during a conversation with the permanent representatives of the group of African countries at the United Nations, called on them to join forces to guarantee food exports from Ukraine.

He said, “By withdrawing from the Grain Agreement, Russia endangered the lives of millions of people around the world, primarily in Africa and Asia. Russia will earn money from increased prices for bread at the expense of primarily citizens of African countries. Our close relations, partnership and active interaction can help solve many problems, particularly those related to the export of Ukrainian grains to the world market. It is necessary to jointly demand the return of Russia to the Grain Initiative using all possibilities,” said the Minister.

The minister said that the food security issue of other countries will always be a priority for Ukraine, taking into account its tragic past of the Holodomor genocide of 1932-1933.

“We always do our best to help other people in the world avoid hunger”.

The minister also called on all African countries to work together on the implementation of the Peace Formula proposed by the President of Ukraine.

“Peace must be restored on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter and the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly. Today, the only document that complies with UN principles and resolutions is President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula. We call on you to take an active part in its implementation and bring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine closer,” he emphasised.

Mr Kuleba also called the recent visit of African leaders to Ukraine a historic event and thanked them for their efforts on the path to peace.

He emphasised the symbolism of the meeting, which took place on Nelson Mandela International Day. The head of the MFA reminded participants that Ukraine, as a founding member of the UN, made a significant contribution to the decolonization of Africa and the fight against apartheid.

As an independent state, Ukraine took an active part in peacekeeping operations in Africa, with more than 300 Ukrainian blue helmets serving in four relevant UN missions.

The minister emphasized to his African colleagues that only in close cooperation can we overcome any problems, particularly the Russian attack on global food security.