26 May 2026
On 25 May, Ukraine marked Africa Day
On 25 May, Ukraine, alongside the international community, marked Africa Day — a day of solidarity, partnership, and the struggle of the continent’s peoples for freedom and independence. For Ukraine, Africa is an important partner in the global dialogue regarding international law, territorial integrity, and opposition to colonial practices.
At the same time, the African continent remains a territory where Russian influence is still palpable. For years, Russia has sought to strengthen its presence in Africa through disinformation, private military companies, and the recruitment of mercenaries. This is precisely why it is vital for Ukraine to build a direct dialogue with African states and societies, to convey the truth about Russian aggression, and to engage Africa in international platforms supporting a just peace.
The Crimea Platform Office serves as one of the venues for such cooperation. During 2023–2025, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo visited Ukraine as speakers at the Crimea Global international conference. Heads of government and parliamentarians from African states also participate in the International Crimea Platform summits.
For instance, during the Fourth Parliamentary Summit in Sweden in November 2025, Member of Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dunia Mangu Mangu Dudu, stated that countries must work together for a more stable, peaceful, and just world. He emphasised the large-scale consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine, noting the destruction Russia has been causing since 2014, and reaffirmed the readiness of the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to cooperate with states that strive for partnership for the sake of justice and democracy.
At the Fifth Summit of the International Crimea Platform in New York in September 2025, Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva, delivered an address. He stressed that Cabo Verde’s position regarding the Russian war against Ukraine has remained unchanged since the beginning of 2022 and that respect for international law must be equal for all states.
It is also significant that a substantial number of African countries have supported United Nations General Assembly resolutions on the territorial integrity of Ukraine since 2014 and have condemned the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
Today, the cooperation between Ukraine and African states is not merely a diplomatic dialogue but also a shared stance in defence of international law, sovereignty, and the right of peoples to live freely and without suffering aggression from other states.