From Aidoghie Paulinus, Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has warned Nigeria and other African countries against partnership with Russia, saying that such collaboration may eventually lead to Russian missiles falling on their countries.
Speaking with journalists from African countries on the sidelines of the ‘Summit on Food Security – Grain from Ukraine,’ Zelenskyy said that when the time comes, it will not matter what kind of partnership African countries have with Russia.
He particularly said African countries will have a lot of problems with Wagners and Russia’s influence on the continent.
“I think that you will have a lot of problems with Wagners and with Russian influential politics in your country. It is about security and as we know very well, it is a pity, but we know it very well.
“When you are very dependent on Russia, they will come to you. And when they will come, it doesn’t matter what economic issues you will have, what benefits you have – energy benefits, chemical benefits, grain et cetera from Russia.
“It doesn’t matter when missiles come to your houses, when your country begins to be destroyed backward, when your children just, you know, die. It doesn’t matter what you have, what the price you can reach. At this moment, it doesn’t matter what the price of petrol is in your country. Trust us,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian President further said it was very important for the world to preserve the sanctity of human lives.
Earlier, Zelenskyy said the programme, Grain from Ukraine, is working really successfully and will continue to expand.
“I want to thank everyone who makes this possible. Today, important figures, important volumes are being announced here, which represent the most important thing – the real lives of people: children, families in different parts of the world. And it’s not just Europe, of course, which is very important for us. But Africa and Asia – the entire world. These are the countries that we have really helped. Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen.
“Now there was a very sensitive video. It was Nigeria and Gaza and so on. Many parts of the world. And I am very pleased, and I want to express my gratitude. And I would like us to applaud the whole team, all the countries that provide all this – such support for people. They bring life to people. Thank you very much!” the Ukrainian President also said.
He disclosed that overall, during the operation of the Grain From Ukraine programme, Ukraine managed to save 20 million people from hunger.
“And this is solely due to one of our humanitarian programmes. In total, Ukraine’s food exports feed 400 million people in 100 countries of the world.
“Ukraine is one of the world’s largest contributors to food security. And we maintain this status despite everything. Despite this colonial challenge from the Russian Federation. This war is a war against the lives of Ukrainians, against our people, our families.”
Zelenskyy added that the full-scale Russian invasion began, among other things, with the Russian fleet blockading Ukrainian ports.