Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on African countries to abandon their position of neutrality in relation to the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Many African countries have refused to take sides in the conflict.
Several countries abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution condemning the Russian invasion. Ethiopia is one such country.
Speaking in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Mr Kuleba said Ukraine was “very upset that some African countries have decided to abstain” and urged them to provide diplomatic support to Kiev “in the face of a Russian invasion”.
“Neutrality is not the answer,” he told reporters. “By maintaining neutrality to Russian aggression against Ukraine, you are projecting neutrality to border violations and mass crimes that may occur very close to home.”
Russia has established a significant presence in several parts of Africa where the Russian private military company Wagner operates, and has recently held joint military exercises with South Africa.
Moscow plans to hold a Russia-Africa summit in July.
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