President Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the day after visiting Russia, where he also had a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, making him the first African leader to travel to Kiev since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Embalo emphasized that Guinea-Bissau is still a steadfast ally of Ukraine and Russia.
“Russia is currently a strategic partner, just as Ukraine is also one of our partners, I assert. That is why, despite the fact that there is a war between Russia and Ukraine right now, I said yesterday that Russia is still our strategic partner.”
The Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) current president, Mr. Embalo, declared that Africa “carries peace and wants to bring the two brotherly countries together.”
- The president of ECOWAS is attacked by the Guinean junta.
- GSA hosts training for Ecowas Metrology officers
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine said that as of today, Russia is blocking 170 ships with grain for African and Asian countries.
“In November, we must do everything to prevent Russia from disrupting our food exports. Otherwise it will provoke a price explosion in the food market, a new worsening of living conditions for millions of people. As of today, 170 ships carrying grain for Africa and Asia are blocked by Russia.”
At the press conference, Zelenskyy said a prerequisite for talks would be Russia´s recognition of Ukraine´s territory, borders and sovereignty.
The two sides have managed limited cooperation on certain issues, such as the exchange of prisoners of war and repatriation of remains.
Mr Embalo also assured that he would “ask” the Russian President “to release” the more than 165 ships blocked near the Bosphorus Strait, while Ukraine accuses Russia of deliberately delaying these ships intended for the transport of cereals by prolonging inspections carried out in accordance with an agreement reached on these deliveries which are crucial for many countries in Africa and Asia.
