Marking the upcoming third anniversary of the full-scale Russia invasion Ambassador of Ukraine to Nigeria Ivan Kholostenko performed a comment for Legit. The Head of the Diplomatic Mission compared Russia's activities in Ukraine and Africa, where the aggressor acts as a neocolonizer.

Main theses:

This year Ukraine marks the third anniversary of its resistance to Russian aggression. However, the war against Ukraine is only one of the manifestations of Russia's neo-imperial policy. Africa has become another arena where Moscow promotes its interests using old colonial methods.

The Kremlin exploits the continent's natural resources, destabilizes regions with its mercenaries, and seeks to establish control over political elites, leaving countries economically and politically weakened.

Unlike in Ukraine, where Russia seeks to regain control of the former Soviet Union by destroying infrastructure, killing civilians and plundering resources, in Africa the Kremlin acts more subtly, using instability as a tool to gain political influence and economic advantages.

We call on African countries to critically analyze the rhetoric of the Kremlin, which portrays Russia as a "friend of Africa" while simultaneously exploiting resources, supporting authoritarian regimes and wreaking havoc.

Ukraine has resisted Russian aggression and continues to fight for freedom. Africa also has the strength to resist neocolonial forces. Together, we can stop imperial ambitions.

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