Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba started visiting African countries this week. By doing so, he is stepping up Kiev's diplomatic efforts to accept Volodymyr Zelensky's peace plan, as well as challenging Russian influence on the continent.
According to Kuleba, he faces three main tasks: to involve as many African countries as possible in the implementation of the peace plan proposed by the Ukrainian president, to enlist support for the uninterrupted export of Ukrainian grains, and to create new opportunities for Ukrainian business.
Zelensky's peace plan consists of 10 points.
1. Radiation and nuclear safety, focusing on restoring safety around Europe's largest nuclear power plant Zaporozhye in Ukraine.
2. Food security, including the protection and provision of Ukraine's grain exports to the world's poorest countries.
3. Energy security, with a focus on price caps on Russian energy resources, as well as helping Ukraine rebuild its energy infrastructure, half of which was damaged by Russian attacks.
4. Release of all prisoners of war and deportees, including prisoners of war and children deported to Russia.
5. Restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and its confirmation by Russia in accordance with the UN Charter, which, according to Zelensky, “is not subject to negotiations.”
6. The withdrawal of Russian troops and the cessation of hostilities, the restoration of the state border of Ukraine with Russia.
7. Justice, including the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war criminals.
8. The need for environmental protection with a focus on demining and rehabilitation of wastewater treatment plants.
9. Preventing the escalation of the conflict and building a security architecture in the Euro-Atlantic space, including guarantees for Ukraine.
10. Confirmation of the end of the war, including a document signed by the parties involved.
In April, The New York Times wrote that Russian intelligence and the media of Wagner PMC founder Yevgeny Prigozhin launched a pro-Russian information campaign in Africa. As part of this initiative, according to the publication, Russian disinformation is being spread by popular African bloggers, online media, and television channels.