By Chris Muhizi Minembwe Capital News 7:00pm Nairobi Kenya Time.
Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, arrived in Nairobi on Monday morning for a series of talks with local authorities.
This was his first visit to Nairobi, but it was his fourth to Africa since the conflict in Ukraine broke out in February of last year.
Lavrov’s travel underscores both Moscow and Kyiv’s ongoing push in Africa. And to influence support, they are citing food security. Russia said last month that it will be providing 200,000 tonnes of fertilizer to Kenya.
Both Kenya and the continuing Russian war in Ukraine benefit from his visit.
The Russian Embassy in Nairobi characterized Kenya as ‘friendly’ to Russia before the visit. One of the first African nations to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year was Nairobi. Martin Kimani, Kenya’s permanent representative to the UN and a member of the UN Security Council at the time, had previously issued a warning that such an invasion may easily reawaken “embers of dead empires.”
Since then, Kenya has maintained the African Union’s position on policy, which calls for communication between Moscow and Kyiv.
Although Mr. Lavrov’s schedule was kept a secret, it included meetings with Kenyan authorities from the Foreign Affairs ministry, the parliament, and President William Ruto.
A ministerial conference of the BRICS bloc, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, as well as a number of other nations, is likely to take place in South Africa later, and the top Russian diplomat will be heading there.
Russian foreign minister Lavrov visit comes after a trip by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who urged African nations to embrace a 10-point peace proposal put forth by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Global food security, radiation and nuclear safety, energy security, and the release of all detainees and prisoners are among the topics included in President Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan. Along with those demands, it demands the return of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the removal of Russian forces, and a stop to all hostilities.
The 10-point peace plan outlined by President Zelensky addresses topics including nuclear and radiation safety, energy security, and the release of all detainees and prisoners.
Additionally, it demands the return of the Ukrainian nation’s territorial integrity, the departure of Russian forces, and a halt to all hostilities.
For the second time in six months, Ukraine is requesting support from African nations. Last year, Kuleba traveled to Africa, but he had to return early due to the catastrophe there.
“Today, on this day of unity (Africa Day), I would like to ask you to support the unity of Ukraine by supporting the peace formula proposed by President Zelensky,” Kuleba said in a video message transmitted on Thursday from the African Union headquarters.
“This is the only way to end the conflict in Ukraine and avert further conflict.”
