Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, marking a historic first in bilateral relations between the countries, Zelenskyy’s press office reported via Telegram on Tuesday 2023 July 20.
“During a first-ever phone conversation with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Zelenskyy addressed Russia’s unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the illegal obstruction of maritime traffic, and attacks on Ukraine’s port and energy infrastructure,” the message said.
Zelenskyy further disclosed that under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine had provided Ethiopia with approximately 300,000 tons of food and an additional 90,000 tons of grain through the Grain from Ukraine initiative.
He reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to acting as a guarantor of global food security and expressed interest in advancing bilateral relations with Ethiopia in the realms of security and digitalization, among others.
In addition to these topics, Zelenskyy discussed preparations for the upcoming Global Peace Summit with the Ethiopian leader.
On June 16, leaders from six African countries arrived in Kyiv to propose a new peace initiative for Ukraine. The initiative suggests launching “negotiations” with Russia, even if the occupying forces do not withdraw from Ukrainian territory.
At the time, Zelenskyy invited the leaders of African countries to participate in the Global Peace Summit, based on the Ukrainian peace formula, which rests on complete liberation of Kyiv’s sovereign territory from Russian occupation.
