President William Ruto declined to take a stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine after CNN anchor, Fareed Zakaria, put him on the spot in a live interview on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
With the war escalating to a mutiny within the Russian army, Ruto was conscious of the strained relations between the two countries.
He reiterated that Kenya was against the ongoing war in Ukraine that led to the loss of human life and property and caused a global economic crisis.
According to Ruto, Kenya and other African countries found a way to live in peace after colonisation. Russia and Ukraine, therefore, also needed to respect their borders as outlined by the United Nations charter.
“As our ambassador said, we have in our continent communities on either side of our borders, and if we were to redraw, there would be a huge challenge on our hands.
“As people who respect the United Nations charter and believe in settling even when we have issues, we use peaceful means,” he explained on the Ukraine conflict.
Fareed, however, hard-pressed Ruto to clarify whether his sentiments contrasted an earlier statement from the Kenyan government condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We condemn war everywhere. We have been participating in peacekeeping worldwide,” he defended Kenya while advocating for peaceful resolutions to restore amicable relations between the two countries, which enjoy good diplomatic relations with Kenya.
Unsatisfied with Ruto's answer, the seasoned CNN journalist expressed that the President was playing cagey with his responses. It was thus unclear whether he was condemning the conflict in totality or perceiving that Ukraine defending itself could also be perceived as war.
Ruto's answer on Ukraine's decision to take up arms to defend its homeland still lacked clarity.
“When a determination is made, in a situation of war, war is war. Everything happens in war,” Ruto explained without giving a distinct answer if Kenya supported Ukraine’s right of self-defence.
On February 22, 2022, Kenya became one of the first countries in the world to condemn Russia for what it termed as perils of clinging to the vestiges of an empire.
“Kenya rejects such a yearning from being pursued by force. Kenya registers its strong concern and opposition to the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states,” Kenya stated then through former Kenyan U.N. Ambassador Martin Kimani.
However, on Saturday, June 24, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Alfred Mutua, wished Russia well after the Wagner mercenary group staged a mutiny against President Vladimir Putin.
"I have told the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov of our concern and wish. He has updated me on the situation and informed me that the Russian government is in control and everything will be fine," CS Mutua divulged in a statement dated Saturday, June 24.
The mutiny, led by Wagner chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, stemmed from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Thus, Kenya's diplomatic policy was scrutinised, with some critics accusing it of doublespeak.
During the CNN interview, President Ruto also highlighted Kenya's democratic maturity demonstrated during the August 9, 2022, General Election.
He underlined that the nation maintained peace during a tumultuous period and even further accepted the Supreme Court ruling, which upheld his victory.
Fareed had asked him to explain how he defeated his successor Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition doyen, Raila Odinga, who joined hands to oppose his first presidential bid.
