President William Ruto on Thursday held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the safety of Kenyan citizens, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and broader global security challenges.
The two leaders described the conversation as “fruitful” and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between Nairobi and Kyiv. A key focus of the discussion was the growing concern over young Kenyans being illegally recruited into the conflict in Ukraine.
President Ruto said he and President Zelenskyy “expressed concern over young Kenyans who have been illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine.” He added that both sides agreed to raise awareness among Kenyan youth about “the dangers of such ventures.”
Ruto also appealed to his Ukrainian counterpart to help secure the freedom of any Kenyan citizens detained in Ukraine. “I have requested President Zelenskyy to facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody,” he said, noting that Zelenskyy agreed to the request.
On his part, President Zelenskyy briefed Ruto on recent Russian attacks targeting civilians and key infrastructure, expressing gratitude for Kenya’s continued solidarity. He also raised concerns over Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals into its military operations, describing the activities as “fraudulent and criminal.”
“We are aware of all the deceptive methods being used and will work closely with Kenya to put an end to them,” Zelenskyy said.
The leaders also discussed global food security, with Ruto commending Zelenskyy for the upcoming Ukraine Food Summit scheduled later this month. He reiterated Kenya’s support for initiatives that protect vulnerable nations from food shortages caused by ongoing conflicts.
The call reflects Kenya’s growing diplomatic engagement with Ukraine, emphasizing shared concerns over citizen welfare, global stability, and food supply resilience amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine war.
