Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed with Somali Foreign Minister Ali Omar the possibility of releasing Ukrainian citizens captured by anti-government forces in Somalia in January.

“I spoke with Somalia’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Omar on the situation regarding the Ukrainian citizens captured in Somalia and ways to resolve it. We also agreed to sign a memorandum to establish diplomatic relations at the earliest occasion. When this happens, there will not be a single African country with which Ukraine has not established diplomatic relations,” he said on X.

“We also discussed ways to deepen the cooperation between Ukraine and the African Union,” Kuleba added.

As reported on January 12, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed the capture of four Ukrainians in Somalia, controlled by anti-government forces. This was announced by spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleh Nikolenko.