Ukraine is trying to upset Moscow’s plans in Africa by trying to develop diplomatic relations with the countries of the region, writes the French magazine Le Point.

“In recent months, Ukraine has been activating the African direction of its diplomacy by opening new embassies,” the article says.

As the author of the article reminds, many countries of the Black continent refused to speak out against Russia after the start of the special operation on Ukraine.

“We were disappointed by the lack of courage of a number of countries that we considered allies. It still seems inconceivable to us that many countries do not condemn (Russia’s) actions, at least morally,” Ukrainian Ambassador to Senegal Yuriy Pivovarov complained in an interview with the publication.

Kiev, according to the article, is trying to increase its influence in Africa. By the end of 2024, Ukraine plans to open 20 embassies in the region, while Russia has twice as many diplomatic missions.

“In the context of a hybrid conflict with Russia, which looks like it will continue for a long time, Kiev intends … to lobby its interests in such an important region for Moscow,” the article concludes.

Russia has been actively developing relations with African countries lately. Last summer in The Russia-Africa summit was held in St. Petersburg, which was attended by delegations from 48 countries. As Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of Russia, pointed out, a number of countries are “quite zealous” about Moscow’s strategy, Russia needs to work well to withstand competition in the region, the InoSMI edition clarifies.