Monrovia— As Ukraine marks its Independence Day on Monday, August 24, the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Ukraine in Dakar, Senegal, Mr. Oleg Kobzystyi, has outlined what he describes as a growing partnership between Kyiv and Monrovia, while calling for deeper cooperation in education, agriculture, digitalization and trade.
In an exclusive interview with the Liberian media, Kobzystyi also addressed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the potential role of African countries in humanitarian efforts, alleged Russian recruitment of African nationals, and Kyiv’s efforts to counter what it describes as Russian disinformation across the continent.
The Ukrainian diplomat described Liberia as a “friend and ally” of Ukraine in West Africa, saying the two countries share common positions on sovereignty, territorial integrity, human dignity and freedom.
He said these shared principles provide a strong foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation beyond the two countries’ engagement within international organizations.
Kyiv Seeks Deeper Economic and Trade Cooperation
Kobzystyi said Ukraine and Liberia are currently working toward establishing a more structured framework for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
According to him, both sides are working on a draft agreement to establish a Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Liberia.
He said the proposed commission could provide a formal mechanism for identifying and advancing areas of mutual economic interest.
Kyiv is also working with Monrovia on a draft Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science and Liberia’s Ministry of Education, aimed at strengthening cooperation in education.
“These elements of the contractual and legal framework could form the basis,” Kobzystyi said, “of a new stage on the track of Ukrainian-Liberian relations.”
The Ukrainian Embassy is also pursuing the possibility of an official visit to Ukraine by Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
Kobzystyi said such a visit could provide an opportunity for both governments to sign the pending bilateral agreements and identify additional areas of cooperation.
Education Seen as Key Area for Cooperation
Education, he said, remains one of the most promising areas for strengthening relations.
Kobzystyi noted that Ukraine has historically attracted students from African countries, including West Africa, because of what he described as the country’s high-quality education and opportunities for acquiring new skills and competencies.
He said a simplified online system for submitting applications to Ukrainian higher education institutions is currently operational.
According to the diplomat, a significant number of West African students have already received permission to enter Ukraine and are preparing for the new academic year.
“We are convinced that the educational component is a solid foundation for the development of further cooperation,” he said.
Agriculture Offers Untapped Potential
Beyond education, Kobzystyi identified agriculture as another area where Ukraine and Liberia could significantly expand cooperation.
He said Ukraine possesses expertise in crop management systems, GPS monitoring of agricultural equipment and precision agriculture.
Importantly, he argued that these systems continue to function despite the ongoing war on Ukrainian territory, demonstrating what he described as the resilience of Ukraine’s agricultural sector.
Kobzystyi suggested that elements of Ukraine’s agricultural experience could be adapted for countries seeking to modernize their agricultural sectors.
For Liberia, where agricultural modernization and food security remain major national priorities, such cooperation could potentially provide opportunities for technology transfer, technical training and investment.
Digitalization Another Area for Partnership
The Ukrainian diplomat also highlighted digital transformation as a potential area of cooperation.
He pointed to Ukraine’s experience in digitalizing state databases, online public services and government systems as an area where Kyiv could share knowledge with Liberia.
Among the examples cited were automated consular services for millions of Ukrainians living abroad and online access to state registers.
Kobzystyi said Ukraine’s experience could be relevant to Liberia as the country continues efforts to modernize government services and expand digital access.
Ukraine Wants Greater African Role in Humanitarian Efforts
Turning to the war, Kobzystyi said Ukraine believes African countries have an important role to play, particularly on humanitarian issues.
He singled out the return of Ukrainian children who, according to Kyiv, were forcibly taken to Russia during the conflict.
He said African countries could bring valuable experience to the humanitarian process because many have historically dealt with complex issues involving displacement, separation of families and the consequences of conflict.
“The potential for involving African states in the humanitarian track in this regard is more than significant,” he said.
Kobzystyi described the alleged transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia as one of what he called the most serious crimes committed during the war.
Battlefield Remains Uncertain
On the military situation, Kobzystyi said Ukrainian forces continue to defend the country and thwart Russian military objectives.
He rejected what he described as Russian claims of major battlefield advances, saying Russia has failed to completely capture Donbas.
He also accused Moscow of resorting to attacks on civilian areas because of its inability to achieve its objectives on the battlefield.
Russia has repeatedly rejected Ukrainian accusations of deliberately targeting civilians and has presented its military campaign in different terms.
Kobzystyi said it was difficult to predict when the war would end because, in Kyiv’s view, Russia has not demonstrated sufficient willingness to negotiate in good faith.
He said Ukraine has repeatedly proposed negotiations in neutral locations, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
According to Kobzystyi, Kyiv remains prepared for negotiations but believes Moscow continues to create conditions that prevent meaningful talks.
Africa and Russian Recruitment
The diplomat also raised concerns over what Ukraine says is the recruitment of African nationals by Russia for military service.
He claimed that African students who traveled to Russia for educational purposes have in some cases ended up being recruited into the Russian armed forces and deployed to the battlefield.
He cited alleged recruitment cases involving nationals of Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Zambia, as well as citizens from Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ghana.
However, he stressed that Ukraine currently has no information indicating that Liberian nationals have been victims of Russian recruitment.
“We hope that this trend regarding Liberia will continue in the future,” Kobzystyi said, urging African citizens to carefully consider the risks before entering into military contracts with Russia.
The Russian government has not endorsed the characterization that it systematically recruits African students as “cannon fodder,” and allegations concerning individual recruitment cases require independent verification.
Kyiv Accuses Moscow of Disinformation in Africa
Kobzystyi further accused Russia of conducting disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts in Africa.
He said Ukrainian diplomatic missions across the continent have faced allegations ranging from recruiting Africans to assembling drones inside embassies.
He described such claims as part of what he characterized as a broader Russian strategy of manipulation.
The diplomat pointed to cases in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, where he said claims attributed to Russian influence networks were subsequently challenged or debunked.
For Kobzystyi, countering disinformation has become an important component of Ukraine’s engagement with African countries.
A New Chapter for Liberia-Ukraine Relations
Despite the challenges posed by the war, Kobzystyi said Ukraine remains committed to strengthening its relationship with Liberia.
He described the two countries as “partner countries” that value and respect each other and said the relationship should now move toward more concrete bilateral cooperation.
The proposed economic and trade commission, education agreement and potential visit by Foreign Minister Nyanti to Ukraine, he said, could provide the institutional framework for that next phase.
“We are sure that we still have something to offer each other in a significant number of areas,” Kobzystyi said.
For Kyiv, the emerging agenda extends beyond diplomatic solidarity over the war to practical cooperation in education, agriculture, digital transformation, trade and humanitarian affairs.
And for Monrovia, the proposed agreements and a possible ministerial visit could mark the beginning of a more structured relationship with a European country seeking stronger partnerships across Africa.
As Ukraine commemorates another Independence Day amid an unresolved war, its diplomatic message to Liberia is clear: Kyiv wants its relationship with Monrovia to move beyond shared positions at international forums and toward a broader, practical and mutually beneficial partnership.
