Africa-Press – Botswana. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, said yesterday that the Head of State of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, is the first African leader to visit the country and “hear the truth about the situation”.
“He is the first leader of an African country who has visited Ukraine since February 24 and has the opportunity to hear the truth about the situation in our country and that it is having an influence on all other countries in the world,” said the Ukrainian President, who was speaking after a meeting with Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who traveled to Russia and Ukraine, as acting president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with a “message of peace”.
The Ukrainian President highlighted that the “criminal war unleashed by Russia” has worsened social and political conditions in many countries.
“Millions of people in Asia, Africa and Europe are in a more difficult situation due to Russian aggression”, he said, calling for the union of all “conscious leaders” in the world to face the threat to “common security”, which he said had arisen. due to the Russian invasion.
Zelensky also thanked Guinea-Bissau for voting at the United Nations General Assembly on the resolution that condemns the attempted annexation of Ukraine and assured that his country can guarantee food security.
“I assured the President that Ukraine can continue to guarantee food and, therefore, social and political security to partner countries,” Zelensky said, stressing the need to do everything to prevent Russia from interrupting his country’s food exports. to avoid a rise in prices, which will impact the lives of millions of people.
The Ukrainian leader also defended the need to develop cooperative relations with countries on the African continent, considering that there is a possibility for holding a Ukraine/Africa summit in his country and enhancing cooperation with ECOWAS.
In turn, Umaro Sissoco Embaló defended the need for a “direct dialogue” between Russia and Ukraine, “two brother countries”, stressing that Africa needs food and fertilizers, but that it also “needs and wants to bring the two countries closer together”. so that they truly find a way to peace”.
The Guinean president also said he would ask Russia to release the 182 Ukrainian boats that “are in Russian custody”.
“It is true that I am the first African president to come here since the beginning of the war, but I assure you that I am the spokesperson for the entire African continent that is concerned about stability in your region”, said Sissoco Embaló.
The Guinean president said that on Monday he had a long conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, who said that the meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Turkey “went well”.
“But let’s find a way because Africa prefers that they find a mechanism for peace. Today I visited and was shocked by the destruction I saw and the mass graves that were presented to me in some areas. I saw the intensity of the bombing. tell you, frankly, this situation is sad”, said Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
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