Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Saturday, June 16, that President William Ruto responded positively to a suggestion to set up Ukrainian grain hubs in Kenya.
Zelenskyy statement came after he held talks with President Ruto on the sidelines of the Peace Summit in Ukraine held in Switzerland.
Ukraine had first floated the idea of grain hubs across Africa as a way to tackle food insecurity across the African continent.
“They discussed the issue of food security, which is very important for both countries, the development of Ukrainian-Kenyan relations and projects in the field of export of agricultural products,” a press communique from the Ukrainian presidency revealed of Ruto’s and Zelenskyy's meeting.
“We considered the possible participation of Kenya in the creation of hubs for Ukrainian grain in African ports.”
Earlier, President William Ruto had indicated that the first grain hub would be set up at the Port of Mombasa.
This would be used to serve the East African region while other grain hubs would be set up in other parts of the African continent.
Zelenskyy did not reveal when his country would start constructing the hubs.
The Ukrainian President further thanked Ruto for Kenya’s support to Ukraine during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
President Ruto, while addressing the Peace Summit, had stated that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was unlawful, unjust and a violation of the fundamental principles of international law.
“Thank you for your participation in the Peace Summit and your principled position on supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy appreciated Ruto after the remark.
Ruto had also complained that the war in Ukraine was affecting Kenya in terms of agricultural productivity.
“Today, a farmer in rural Kenya knows there is war in Ukraine for two reasons. One, he paid more for his fertiliser and two, it came late,” the President had regretted.
