Details of President Ruto’s Phone Call with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Revealed
PPresident William Ruto on Thursday held a lengthy phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where the two leaders discussed the welfare of Kenyan citizens, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and broader security issues affecting both nations.
Describing the exchange as “fruitful,” President Ruto said the two sides explored “various issues of mutual interest between our two peoples and countries.”
At the centre of their talks was growing concern over reports that young Kenyans have been illegally recruited to take part in the ongoing war.
“We expressed concern over young Kenyans who have been illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine,” Ruto said. “Both sides agreed to raise awareness about the dangers of such ventures.”
The Kenyan leader added that he had appealed to President Zelenskyy to help secure the freedom of any Kenyan currently detained in Ukraine. “I have requested President Zelensky to facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody,” he said. “I am grateful to His Excellency for acceding to my appeal.”
In a statement, President Zelenskyy said he had updated Ruto on recent Russian attacks targeting civilians and critical infrastructure. He thanked Kenya for its continued solidarity and “warm words of support.”
Zelenskyy also raised concerns about what he described as Russia’s “fraudulent” recruitment of foreign citizens to join its military campaign, saying closer cooperation with Kenya would help counter the practice. “We touched upon the issue of Russia’s recruitment of foreign citizens into its criminal war,” he said. “We are aware of all the fraudulent methods being used and will work more closely to put an end to them.”
The two leaders also discussed international efforts to bolster food security. President Ruto commended Zelenskyy for the upcoming Ukraine Food Summit, saying Kenya supported initiatives that strengthen global food supply chains and shield vulnerable nations from the economic shocks of war.
The phone call marks a deepening of diplomatic engagement between Nairobi and Kyiv. It also highlights the growing concern among African nations about the welfare of their citizens abroad and the broader global implications of the conflict in Eastern Europe.
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Details of President Ruto’s Phone Call with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Revealed